FLAMES from a blazing Basildon pub building came dangerously close to igniting a nearby petrol station, it was revealed today.

The fire broke out at 4.30am yesterday (Sunday) morning in the former Double Six pub in Whitmore Way, Basildon, which has stood empty for several months.

The strong winds quickly whipped the blaze into an inferno. It took firefighters an hour and a half to tackle it and prevent it spreading to a neighbouring Jet garage.

Sub officer Bill Newton, from Basildon Fire Station said: "The whole building was well alight. It was a ferocious fire and it is not far from a petrol station just down the road.

"With the strong winds we had, if it had gone on much longer the flames could have easily reached there. We are treating the fire as suspicious."

For full story see Monday's Echo...