Arsonists may have started a fire in a former hospital building, investigators have found.

Fire and police officers have been examining the ex-ward building at Severalls Hospital in Colchester to try to work out what started the New Year's Eve blaze.

There were no gas or electricity supplies connected up in the three-storey block, ruling out two common causes of blazes.

Colchester community commander Dave Blackett said: "The most likely cause is that somebody, whether accidentally or deliberately, caused the fire."

Published Thursday, January 2, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette