FIREFIGHTERS have spent hours battling a blaze in an old cinema in Southend.

Crews were called to the Empire Theatre in Alexandra Street shortly before 8am this morning following reports of a fire in the derelict building.

Firefighters from Southend, Leigh, Rochford, Hawkwell and Rayleigh Weir are at the scene.

Alexandra Street was closed as residents reported smoke had spread across the town centre.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing flames on the roof of the building and a yellow coloured smoke.

Joseph Saunders, 32, saw the fire on his way to work at security company GUK in Maitland House.

He said: "The smoke is coming from the old theatre. The smell of smoke is very toxic smelling. This fire as been going since about 7.30am as I got in to work at Maitland House and could smell the burning then."

Essex Fire say there are no reports the smoke is toxic but told residents to shut their windows.

Police are diverting traffic from Clarence Road while firefighters remain at the scene.

Incident Commander ADO Pullen said: "The fire is in a derelict cinema. Firefighters are using one hose reel jet, two main jets and an aerial ladder platform to tackle the fire. A large amount of smoke has been generated by the fire so we are advising nearby residents to close their windows."

Alexandra Street and Clarence Street are expected to be closed for most of today.

Nearly fours hours on from the outbreak of the blaze the fire is under control and crews remain on site to dampen down and extinguish hot spots.

The incident commander reports steady progress was made. Crews used one main jet and the aerial ladder platform monitor to pour water on the fire from above.

The roof collapsed in the blaze and a number of walls inside the property remain unstable.

Incident Commander, DO Danny Bruin said: "Firefighters worked in arduous conditions to contain the fire to the roof and mezzanine floor of the building. The crews  hard work stopped the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties. Three fire appliances and the aerial ladder platform remain at the scene to extinguish remaining hot spots. "

The cause of the fire is unknown. ECFRS and Essex Police will carry out an investigation.