A plush house has been destroyed by a major blaze which broke out in the property after reports of an explosion.

Fire crews raced to the house in Kings Road, Chalkwell, at 5.30am this morning, with officers reporting that flames were billowing out the window as they arrived.

Now, Essex Police have said they believe the fire could have been an arson attack, with the homeowner away on holiday.

It is thought the house was burgled too overnight and the two could be linked.

Echo:

Reader picture from last night

The service said the detached house was so engulfed by flames that there was a real risk it could have spread to neighbouring properties.

By 7am, the majority of the house was alight but fire crews had managed to get it under control after that, but the roof has collapsed.

There were five crews on scene when the blaze was at its worst, and several units are still there working to extinguish the blaze, with Shoebury crews standing by at Southend fire station.

Firefighters on scene told the Echo they were not able to get into the building as it was unsafe, and the chimneys on top were at serious risk of toppling off its roof.

Echo:

Fire Service picture from last night

Assistant divisional officer Mark Turnbull said: "There had been reports of an explosion prior to our arrival and the first crews on the scene found an already well developed fire with multiple seats on all three floors of the house. When we first got here there were flames coming out of the windows.

"Crews faced a difficult task getting on top of this fire and they have done an excellent job in bringing it under control. There was a real danger that this could spread to neighbouring homes but crews hard work and professionalism has contained the fire to the house where it started and prevented it spreading.

"The house has suffered extensive damage, the roof has now entirely collapsed. We have the fire under control and we're now working to extinguish the blaze."

Echo:

Reader picture from last night

DC Chris Adam, of Southend CID, said: "Our enquiry is at an early stage but there is evidence that someone may have been in the house after the owner was last at home.

"If anyone saw any suspicious activity in this area in the last 24 hours, saw anyone in the vicinity at the time that the fire started or know of someone who has come home this morning smelling of smoke, then I would like to hear."

 

The scene earlier on today

Echo: