ONGAR: Arson suspected as firefighters tackle major blaze (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

ONGAR: Arson suspected as firefighters tackle major blaze

11:45pm Friday 25th April 2008 in News By David Jackman

MORE than 20 firefighters are tackling a major blaze in Ongar.

Crews called to the Hallsford Bridge Industrial Estate, in Stondon Road, at about 9.40pm this evening arrived to find a three-storey office block, which had been undergoing refurbishment, well alight.

Assistant Divisional Officer Bill McKenzie, speaking to the Guardian at the scene, said arson was suspected and a full joint fire and police investigation will be carried out.

initially two fire crews were called out but two additional appliances were immediately summoned and then another three.

Seven appliances - from Ongar, Brentwood, Harlow - including the station's aerial ladder platform - and Leaden Roding - are currently on the scene.

Police are maintaining a cordon at the entrance to the industrial estate.

Firefighters are being hampered by a lack of water in the area and a hose laying lorry has been called to lay some half-a-mile of hose from towards High Ongar.

Firefighters have been tackling the blaze from the outside such is the heat and intense flames which could be seen from the top of Stondon Road. Flames leapt from the top of the building as thick smoke poured from the burning block.

Assistant Divisional Officer McKenzie told the Guardian the blaze is the latest in a series of suspicious fires at the industrial estate.

He said: "We are treating it as suspicious because there has been a spate of arson in the area and a fire investigation officer has been ordered.

"Over the last six months this is the third - and the biggest."

Mr McKenzie added: "The building is under repair or refurbishment. When we arrived the whole of the top of the building was on fire."

Firefighters have had to be wary of scaffolding collapsing at the back of the premises.

About 20 minutes ago gas and electricity engineers were called out to isolate supplies to the site.

Firefighters are expected to remain on the scene for some time with a three pump relief having been ordered to relieve crews from 12.30am.