Crews tackle fire at derelict buildings on farm

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service A building which was affected by a fire is now rubble on the floor. There are pieces of wood which have been damaged by the fire, and smoke is rising from part of the rubble to the left. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
Fire crews in Essex were called to tackle a blaze at three buildings on a farm

Fire crews have tackled a blaze at three derelict buildings on a former pig farm.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called to Boxted Road in Colchester at about 17:20 BST on Thursday.

It said one of the outbuildings was destroyed and the fire was put out by about 19:30, with crews revisiting overnight to check for hotspots.

Breathing apparatus, an aerial ladder platform and a water bowser were used, and the cause was not yet known, it added.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service A brick building is on the right which has a brick wall leading along the left of the image. Pieces of wood are holding up a tin roof which connects to the building, which has been damaged by the fire.Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
The fire service said two of the three buildings were saved following the blaze on Thursday evening

Crews from Coggeshall, Colchester, Tiptree, Clacton and Brightlingsea attended.

Colchester station manager Paul Champ praised staff: "They worked in tough conditions on a hot day with difficult access to the farm and restricted water supplies," he said.

"The fire had spread through the roof but they surrounded the barn and brought the fire to a quick stop."

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