A fire broke out in a derelict college building in Grays, Essex last night which could be seen from across the Thames in Gravesend and Northfleet.
Eight crews from Essex Fire and Rescue were called at 8.41pm to the Old Thurrock Technical College building which was 100 per cent alight.
At 11pm Assistant Divisional Officer Tony Clark said: "Crews are continuing to tackle the fire in a derelict building.
"A large amount of smoke has been generated by the fire and we are asking residents in the Grays and Tilbury area to close their windows tonight as a safety precaution."
Big fire in Essex this evening, smoke billowing in to the sky, seen here from Gravesend pic.twitter.com/2TQHU4rLxa
— On The Thames (@ThamesPics) July 15, 2015
71p1 have just left the scene of the fire in #Grays 🚒💦🔥 http://t.co/SNgNXZ5sBu pic.twitter.com/tUXbB10kAC
— Ongar Fire Station (@OngarFireStn) July 16, 2015
Apparently the Essex fire is a derelict building http://t.co/YAsa3NGXQ9 (thanks @elaysee1990) pic.twitter.com/O4Qo9JtVyf
— On The Thames (@ThamesPics) July 15, 2015
On social media residents in Gravesend shared their pictures of the smoke.
By midnight the fire service reported that crews were making steady progress at the incident, but firefighters expected to remain at the scene throughout the night.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage, ECFRS and Essex Police will carry out an investigation.
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