CREWS from four local stations attended a blaze at a disused building in Pitsea overnight.

Firefighters were alerted just after midnight this morning (Wednesday, 6 March) to reports of a fire in a two-storey building in Rectory Road.

Crews from Basildon (two), Corringham and Rayleigh Weir attended, along with an aerial ladder platform from Southend.

Station Manager Russ Freeman said: "Crews were faced with a fire in the roof of a disused building measuring 30 metres by 10 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 shortly before 4am. A crew returned this morning to carry out checks.

An investigation will take place to establish the cause.