FOUR five crews have extinguished a huge fire in a derelict building in Copford with access to the site and water supply issues making the response more complex.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service sent four crews – two from Colchester as well as one each from Coggeshall and Tiptree – and an aerial ladder platform to a large fire in London Road in Copford, a Colchester village near Marks Tey.

The fire service was called to the incident at 8.45pm last night and on arrival, crews found the building, which was covered in scaffolding, was "completely alight".

While due to the instability of the structure, all firefighting was carried out externally.

Scaffolding - The building was covered in scaffolding meaning the firefighters fought the fire externallyScaffolding - The building was covered in scaffolding meaning the firefighters fought the fire externally (Image: Submitted) The fire was out by midnight, but relief crews remained at the scene overnight to monitor hotspots.

Crew Manager Pete Woodiwiss said: “Crews worked incredibly hard in challenging conditions.

“Access to the site was difficult, and water supply issues added to the complexity of the incident. Despite this, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control and extinguish it within a few hours.”

While one Copford resident last night said: "This is the biggest fire I have seen in my entire life."

"There's ten engines on site but no one is being able to get here. There are no water points. Because developers and roadworkers have been pulling them all from the river."

The resident on Tuesday, added: “It was awful.

“Homes lost power for a while and water. It was a huge fire, and surrounding homes and residents were very concerned.”

The building has been left damaged by the fire, and an investigation into the cause will be carried out by officers when it is safe to do so.