Roots Hall fire: 10 wooden pallets catch fire beside stadium

The blaze took hold beside the home of Southend United, in Victoria Avenue shortly before 5.30pm.

Investigators say the blaze was caused after ten pallets of artificial grass caught fire, which created a large amount of smoke.

The turf is understood to have been bought by the club from the David Beckham Academy and had been earmarked for use as part of the club’s new stadium plans.

An Essex Fire Service spokesman said: “Crews dealt with a fire near Southend United FC’s Stadium.

“Firefighters were called to Victoria Avenue, Southend, and on arrival reported that ten pallets of artificial grass were alight and causing a large amount of smoke.

"Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire.”

There were no reports of any injuries.

An onlooker told the Echo: “The fire was just to the left of the Far Post Bar entrance to the East Stand in the ground and not in the stadium itself.

“There were two fire engines in attendance when I was there and I’m led to believe it’s unused astroturf which the club had been storing which is on fire.

Worrying - the stadium was evacuated but there were no reports of any injuries 

“All the staff from the ground were evacuated but the stadium itself is fine.”

As of 6.10pm, fire bosses said two further crews, from Leigh and Hawkwell, were sent to the scene.

Ten minutes later, the incident commander reported the fire was surrounded and firefighters reported the blaze had been extinguished.

The service added: "An investigation into the cause of the fire will take place today."

Southend United took to Twitter to comment on the situation.

A statement read: “Essex Fire Service have successfully attended to a fire which broke out just after 5.20pm in a storage area to the left of the Far Post Bar entrance.

"Nobody was injured and we are thankful to the quick response of @ECFRS.”

Smog - the grass gave off large amount of smoke

At work - fire fighters fought thr blaze for almost three hours