A DERELICT house was badly damaged by fire in the early hours of the morning.Firefighters from Colchester and Wivenhoe went to Berechurch Hall Road at 1.

Annie Davidson

A DERELICT house was badly damaged by fire in the early hours of the morning.

Firefighters from Colchester and Wivenhoe went to Berechurch Hall Road at 1.45am today where they found the house well ablaze.

Concerned residents from nearby flats which overlooked the house dialled 999 as the flames spread. The fire was out by 2.38am.

Station Officer Doc Holliday said: “We have been to a number of small fires at the same house but this was far bigger, engulfing most of the property and causing extensive damage.

“Crews did an excellent job in fighting this fire which we believe to have been started deliberately.”