ESSEX Police are appealing for witnesses following a blaze with reduced a seafront fast-food restaurant to ruins.

Fire crews from were called at around 2.30am on Sunday to the Southend seafront Wimpy at Marine Parade.

On arrival, crews confirmed there was a fire on both the ground floor and first floor.

The building's roof was also impacted by the fire.

Using an aerial ladder platform, fire crews were able to put the fire out by 4.30am

Throughout the morning, Essex Police cordoned of the area surrounding the building to stop people interfering with the scene.

This was because on Sunday morning, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a thorough investigation was taking place into the cause of the fire.

A specialist fire investigation dog from the London Fire Brigade was also roped in to help search the ruins.

Following he incident, Essex Police are appealing for witnesses.

They say when they attended the fire, it was alight but no one was inside.

DCI Jennifer Bliss, overseeing the investigation, said; “We want to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen something or someone who may have been acting suspiciously at the time.

“A few neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution whilst fire brigade worked to extinguish the fire.

“We will remain on scene whilst we work with fire brigade colleagues to establish the cause of the fire.”