FIREFIGHTERS have tackled a blaze which took hold of an empty building in Harwich in the early hours of today.

The fire broke out shortly before 1.55am at the derelict property in Orwell Road.

Six fire crews from Dovercourt, Manningtree, Colchester and Clacton were deployed to the scene to tackle the flames.

A spokesman for the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters used three jets and an aerial ladder platform to reach the fire.

He said around 30 per cent of the two storey-building was well alight with the “main area of the blaze on the first floor”.

Crews had the blaze under control by 3am but returned at 6.30am to check it remained safe.

The fire service spokesman said the cause of the blaze in “undetermined”.