A FORMER snooker club was gutted by fire in the early hours of this morning after a massive blaze took hold.

Roddy Ashworth

A FORMER snooker club was gutted by fire in the early hours of this morning after a massive blaze took hold.

And yesterday police - who were forced to close Hythe Quay, leading to traffic delays today - said they were treating the fire as suspected arson.

The club - Mr Pools, at the Hythe, in Colchester - was reported alight at around 2.15am and two fire crews were sent to the scene.

But before long firefighters realised further help would be needed to control the blaze and eventually seven fire engines were sent to the derelict property.

The three storey building - which measured around 40 metres by 20 metres - was described as “100 per cent” alight by 3.15am and fire officers inside the former club, who were battling the flames using hose reels and special breathing apparatus, were withdrawn.

Work then began not only to put the main blaze out but also to try and stop the fire spreading to other nearby buildings.

An aerial ladder platform - a special fire engine with the ability to fight fires from above - was used to douse the flames and at around 6.40am four crews were called in to damp down the premises.

A police spokesman said: “A joint police and fire investigation has begun following a fire in Colchester.

“Police were contacted by the fire and rescue service shortly after 2.30am this morning following reports of a blaze at a derelict building on Hythe quay.

“Officers arrived and put in place a road closure to allow the fire service to handle the incident safely.

“In addition, the building was declared unsafe and is likely to be demolished.”