POLICE are investigating a late-night fire which saw five fire crews rush to a disused police station in Pitsea.
Essex Police says officers discovered the fire at the former police station in Rectory Road while patrolling nearby Howard Crescent just after 12am today.
A spokesman for the force said: “We’re working with colleagues at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to establish the cause of a fire in Howard Crescent, Pitsea.
“A patrolling police crew came upon the incident shortly after midnight this morning (Wednesday, March 6) and alerted all emergency services.”
Firefighters from Corringham, Rayleigh, two crews from Basildon, and a crew from Southend with an aerial ladder platform rushed to the scene.
Station manager Russ Freeman said: "Crews were faced with a fire in the roof of a disused building measuring 30 metres by ten metres.
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus initially entered the building and did a brilliant job of stopping the fire from spreading.
"With the roof partially collapsing, crews withdrew and will continue to tackle the fire externally."
Crews remained at the scene until just before 4am. A crew returned this morning to carry out checks.
Essex bus operator First warned passengers of diversions while Rectory Road remains closed between Wickford Avenue and High Road.
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