AN arson investigation has been launched after a huge blaze destroyed fields and spread to back gardens around a main Rochford road.

Essex Police has confirmed it is “conducting an investigation into a field fire” in Stambridge Road on Thursday afternoon.

In the statement, the spokesman also states that “preliminary enquiries found it had been deliberately started”.

The fire, which was reported at around 2.40pm on Thursday saw eight hectares of fields burnt, nearby homes put at risk, and the destruction of a greenhouse.

Fire crews have returned to the scene to dampen hotspotsFire crews have returned to the scene to dampen hotspots (Image: Essex County Fire and Rescue Service)

Nobody was injured in the blaze which burned for around two hours before being extinguished by fire crews.

Essex Police is appealing for information on the incident and have called on the public to come forward with anything that could assist the investigation.

Submit a report at essex.police.uk or by calling 101.

To make an anonymous report, contact independent charity Crimestoppers by going to https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or calling 0800 555 111.