A BLAZE at a disused officers' mess in Shoebury Garrison is thought to have been started deliberately.

Six fire crews were called to the incident about 6.30am this (Thursday) morning and were still battling the blaze at 3pm.

The derelict two-storey building is Grade II-listed and was earmarked by developers to become a hotel.

A joint police and fire service investigation will be carried out into the cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspicious.

Speaking at the scene this morning, a fire and rescue service spokesman said: "This is a long building with a close boarded roof and an unstable structure, so we are having to fight the fire from outside the building to maintain the safety of crews.

"The mess is a listed building on a derelict estate that has been redeveloped.

"Water supplies have been established and we are beginning to see progress in putting out flames."

Special report and pictures in Friday's Echo