TWENTY firefighters battled a blaze at empty offices in Whitehall Industrial Estate.

Crews from Brightlingsea, Wivenhoe and Clacton joined Colchester's aerial ladder platform after being called to the long-derelict building on Haven Road at 7.30pm on Sunday evening.

They discovered the building was completely smoke logged, while part of the building near to King Edward Quay was on fire.

The aerial ladder platform and three jets were used to tackle the fire and stop it spreading to neighbouring boatyards and other industrial units.

Then crews led by Station Officer Mark Huggins tried to enter the building by knocking down the boards covering the doors.

The gas board were called and confirmed there was no gas supply to the disused offices.

Crews believe asbestos may be involved in the fire.

Leading firefighter Lindley Chambers said: "We were called to a fire at a warehouse which was approximately 30 metres by 50 metres.

"20 per cent was alight and 100 per cent was smoke-logged.

"The crews made good efforts to stop the fire spreading to other businesses nearby."

The fire service was expected to carry out an investigation on Monday morning, once the blaze was completely extinguished.