A “TOWERING INFERNO” could be seen over Pitsea as a former police station went up in flames, with fire crews working overnight to bring the blaze under control.

Dozens of firefighters from all over south Essex worked for nearly four hours to douse the flames at the former police station in Rectory Grove, Pitsea.

Echo: Damage - the fire left a huge chunk of the roof missing.Damage - the fire left a huge chunk of the roof missing. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

The fire broke out at midnight on Tuesday with firefighters on the scene until the early hours. It is being investigated by police and the fire service.

Resident Christopher Furness described seeing “flames flickering” and “flashing blue lights” outside his bedroom window.

He said: “It was a towering inferno.

“I got woken up by the flashing blue lights and the commotion. 

Echo: Blocked - the road was closed to the public while the building was made safe.Blocked - the road was closed to the public while the building was made safe. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

“I knew straight away something bad had happened.

“I walked out and saw police cars and fire engines all over the place. I thought ‘Jesus Christ’.”

Residents came out to see an aerial ladder platform being used to douse the flames from above.

Mr Furness, 65, said: “I saw flickers of flames as the fire brigade was putting it out. I’ve got no idea how much damage was done inside.

“They had a crane right up to the roof. I thought if someone had fallen in, they would’ve copped it.

Echo: Assessing - fire service and police investigators are working to find the cause of the fire.Assessing - fire service and police investigators are working to find the cause of the fire. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

“I didn’t get to sleep until around 2.45am as crews were still out there, fighting it.

“It’s lucky no one was hurt, as far as I know.”

Firefighters returned later yesterday morning to make the building safe for passers-by and reopen the road.

Echo: Follow-up - it is not known how long the investigation will take.Follow-up - it is not known how long the investigation will take. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

They said: “Another crew will come down to remove loose tiles from the roof of the building to ensure the public can walk past safely.

“They will board up the roof and remove the loose tiles, so it will be a couple more hours before the road can reopen.”

Echo: Back again - firefighters returned in the late morning to remove loose roof tiles and make the building safe for passers-by.Back again - firefighters returned in the late morning to remove loose roof tiles and make the building safe for passers-by. (Image: Ben Shahrabi)

The police station closed in 2016 and planning permission was granted last year for it to be demolished and 22 flats to be built in its place.

An investigation is currently taking place, with the fire service working with Essex Police to establish the cause of the overnight blaze.