An investigation was today under way after firefighters battled for two hours to bring a blaze at a derelict timber yard under control.

Three appliances from Southend and Leigh were called out to the fire at the yard in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff.

Len Goff, station officer at Southend fire station, said: "The fire started in the what used to be the office at the yard.

"It was well alight by the time we got there so it took quite a while for firefighters wearing breathing apparatus to put it out."

The blaze, which broke out at around 6pm on Sunday, is being treating as suspicious.