Firefighters tackled a blaze in the early hours of this morning at a derelict pub on the seafront. 

Crews were called to shortly after 12.30 to reports of a fire at Southend's The Foresters Arms pub.

The pub is set to be demolished to make way for the Marine Plaza development.

On arrival, crews confirmed that the two-storey building was alight.

The fire was burning on the first floor.

Crews immediately attempted to gain entry to the property and managed to get the fire under control quickly, before extinguishing it completely by 2.24am.

Firefighters then used positive pressure ventilation fans to clear the premises of smoke, before ensuring there were no remaining hotspots within the area using thermal imaging cameras.

An investigation into the cause of the fire will take place today.

Echo:

The pub officially closed in early June after being earmarked for demolition since April, to make way for the Marine Plaza development.

The pub had been threatened with legal action from developers Inner London Group, who needed the whole site on Marine Parade to be cleared to make way for the Marine Plaza development.

Echo: