Investigation launched as roof collapses into building on fire in Harlow
The building is believed to be derelict according to the fire service
Essex Fire and Rescue officers remain at the scene of a large fire that took place in a derelict building in Harlow.
Officers were alerted to an incident taking place in a building off Park Lane just after 12:30am on Friday morning (July 4th).
When officers arrived to the scene in the Netteswell Orchard area of the town, they found that a major fire was developing in the building, resulting in a lot of smoke bellowing from the blaze.
Crews have since worked overnight to bring the fire under control, with the blaze mostly being extinguished by 8am.
Essex Police put a cordon around the building in order to control the flow of people to the fire, with an investigation now underway to determine the cause of the fire.
In a statement, the fire and rescue service confirmed that the roof of the building had collapsed due to the intensity of the fire.
Speaking on the incident, Steve Kirkham from Essex Fire and Rescue praised crews for their work.
"Their quick actions prevented the fire from spreading, protecting the block of flats nearby," he said.
Other fire stations were brought in to help deal with the fire, including Harlow, Old Harlow, Ongar, Loughton, Chelmsford, Southend and Saffron Walden.
Currently, just one fire engine from Saffron Walden remains at the scene to help dampen the site down and stop embers from taking hold.