Eight lorries were damaged during an early morning arson attack.

Fire crews raced to an industrial estate on Purdeys Way, Rochford, at around 5.20am this morning to find five lorries were completely alight.

A further three lorries suffered damage from the heat and crews managed to prevent the fire from spreading further by extinguishing it at 6.23am.

Crew Manager Dave Farrant said: "Crews had to work hard to establish a water supply because the fire was at the far side of the industrial estate.  

"Five lorries were 100% alight when we arrived but crews did a fantastic job to stop the fire spreading to other the lorries."

The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate and an investigation will be carried out with Essex Police.