Firefighters were this morning still at the scene of a suspicious blaze at a former disposable nappies factory.

An investigation has now been launched into the fire which saw a main road closed off to traffic. Emergency services were alerted to the fire in the empty warehouse, in Argent Street, Grays, at about 1.30pm yesterday.

Three fire engines were sent to the scene to tackle the blaze.

Firefighters using breathing apparatus tackled the fire in the factory.

The building, near to the Theobald Arms pub, was still ablaze throughout last night and two fire crews remained at the scene to make sure it was safe.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "We are treating the fire as suspicious and fire investigators are on the scene."

"The building is still on fire and is heavily smoke-logged.

"At first, we were worried there were dangerous chemicals in the building, but we later found out there weren't."

Published Wednesday, March 6, 2002