Homes were evacuated and a large section of a town centre was closed off as firefighters battled a major blaze in Clacton-on-Sea in the early hours of Monday morning.
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| Homes Evacuated as Firefighters Tackle Major Clacton Blaze |
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called to the scene on West Avenue at approximately 12:35 AM after reports of a building fully engulfed in flames. At the height of the incident, fire crews from multiple stations, including Clacton, Dovercourt, Manningtree, Weeley, Colchester, Tiptree, and Chelmsford, were on the scene.
Residents in nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution due to the scale of the fire and the thick smoke billowing from the building. Tendring District Council, with the assistance of a local Premier Inn, set up a refuge center for displaced residents. While some residents have since been allowed to return, others are still being looked after.
The fire, which is believed to have started in a commercial building that housed a furniture store and a mobility services office, was brought under control and extinguished by around 7:00 AM. Incident Commander Nick Singleton praised the efforts of the crews, stating they "worked extremely hard to stop the fire from spreading to nearby buildings."
There have been no reports of any injuries. The building, which appears to be completely gutted, is understood to be condemned. The fire service has confirmed that a full investigation into the cause of the blaze will be launched once the site is safe to enter.
Roads in the area, including West Avenue, Jackson Road, Penfold Road, and Agate Road, remain closed as crews continue to dampen down hotspots and a fire investigation gets underway. Local residents have been advised to keep windows and doors closed due to the lingering smoke.