Overview

• Fire erupted in a building on West Avenue in Clacton-on-Sea at around 12:35 am on August 18, with images showing it fully engulfed by flames.
• Crews from seven Essex fire stations contained the blaze before dawn and have stayed to monitor and extinguish lingering hotspots.
• Jackson Road, Penfold Road and Agate Road were closed during operations and evacuated residents were housed at a refuge centre set up by Tendring District Council and Premier Inn Clacton.
• Essex Police and emergency services urged nearby communities to keep windows and doors shut because of heavy smoke.
• Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has announced a formal investigation into the fire’s cause once conditions are deemed safe.