A huge fire that's gutted a seafront Wimpy building was an arson attack, fire service bosses have announced.

Firefighters were called to the fire on Southend seafront at 2:30am yesterday after the control room received a number of calls reporting flames in the restaurant building in Marine Parade.

On arrival, crews confirmed that there was a fire on both the ground floor and first floor (100% alight) and the roof was also affected and it was 50% alight.

Neighbouring properties were evacuated as a precaution.

A spokesman said: "We believe the fire was started deliberately and the police have appealed for witnesses."

It comes after bosses of Wimpy say they are "devastated" by the huge blaze which gutted the seafront restaurant.

A spokesman for Wimpy said: “We are all shocked and devastated by the fire at Wimpy Marine Parade Southend in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“Our first priority will always be our franchisees, families and employees, and we are incredibly relieved that the premises was empty at the time and no-one in the adjacent properties was injured.

“We thank the emergency services for their prompt action in containing the fire and we are working with them while they seek to identify the cause. In view of ongoing investigations, we are unable to comment further.”

The spokesman confirmed that the restaurant will remain closed for the time being.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are investigating a fire at a fast food restaurant in Southend which is believed to have been started deliberately.

"The fire is being treated as arson and our investigation is ongoing. 

"If you have any information you can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm. Please quote the crime reference number 42/13163/22

"You can also call us on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."