Skip to content

Arson probe over Southend training ground blaze

Martin Heath
BBC News, Essex
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service A grey building with flames and smoke billowing from the roof. There is a metal extendable ladder to the right, with a firefighter directing a jet of water at the fire. There are trees and grasses in the foreground.Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
An aerial ladder platform was brought in to tackle the blaze

An investigation into a fire at Southend United's former training centre has found it was started deliberately.

Crews from six fire stations tackled a blaze at the Boots and Laces ground.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service said it broke out at about 22:30 BST on Wednesday.

A two-storey building at the site on Eastern Avenue collapsed.

The blaze was dampened down early on Thursday and crews have since left the scene. An investigation has now started.

The derelict two-storey building on the site, which the Blues vacated last year, was described as being "fully alight" by the fire service.

Crews from Southend were joined by colleagues from Rayleigh Weir, Rochford, Hawkwell, Leigh and Shoeburyness.

Eastern Avenue was closed for a time overnight.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Three fire engines pictured in the dark with their headlights on. There are hoses running to them over muddy ground. There are trees in the foreground.Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
Crews from six fire stations were called to the scene

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

You may also be interested in
Related internet links