AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after fire broke out at a Southend garage for the second time in 48 hours.

Police and the fire service have launched a joint investigation after firefighters were called to the Southend MOT and Service Centre in Fletchers Square, on the Temple Farm Industrial Estate, in the early hours of this morning.

A worker had to flee and the garage was gutted after the first fire on Thursday evening.

Assistant Divisional Officer Martyn Hodder, Southend Station Commander, said: "This is the second time we have visited the site in days.

“The first fire was a vehicle alight on Thursday evening. The car had been playing up during the day and had been put into the garage to be looked at. The employees on site at the time told crews that the vehicle caught fire suddenly and unexpectedly and this incident was recorded as an accident following an investigation.

"However, being called to the same address just 48 hours to find the building well alight is unusual so both Police and Fire Service investigation teams were called in at a very early stage.

“The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.”

For full details see Monday’s Echo.