Fire crews hampered by lack of water as they deal with large fire
FIREFIGHTERS from across north Essex were hampered by a lack of water as they tackled a major blaze in Colchester last night.
Crews were called to the blaze in the old barracks on the Garrison in Mersea Road at about 6pm.
The service’s aerial ladder platform also attended as firefighters tackled the blaze in a derelict building measuring 15 metres by 30 metres.
At one stage the officer in charge reported the building was 25% alight and completely smoke logged.
The efforts to tackle the fire were hampered because there were no working hydrants in the old barracks making it hard for crews to get good access to any water.
An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the fire in the derelict building was being treated as suspicious.
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