A Southend industrial unit and car were left "burnt out" during a huge blaze at a business estate.

Fire crews and police rushed to the fire in Priory Works, Southend in the early hours on yesterday morning.

Images from the scene showed the badly damaged unit with a police cordon and officers outside the business.

One witness said: "There was a fire in Priory Works at about 3:45am in morning. The unit and a Range Rover were burnt out the following day."

A video shared showed huge orange flames lighting up the sky and area as the blaze took hold of the business unit.

An Essex Fire Service spokesman said: “Firefighters were called to a fire in Priory Avenue, Southend at 3:46am on Wednesday. 

“On arrival, crews reported that an industrial unit measuring approximately 20 metres by 10 metres and a van were on fire. Crews worked to extinguish the fire by 5:57am. 

“The cause of the fire is being investigated.”