Huge blaze rips through Southend United's former training ground sending smoke billowing into sky

A HUGE blaze has broken out at Southend United's former training ground.

Firefighters swiftly rushed to the scene on Eastern Avenue, Southend, at around 10.30pm last night.

2 Firefighters battling a huge fire at Southend United’s former training ground Boots and Laces Credit: BPM

2 The derelict building was once used as a training facility for the football team Credit: BPM

Thick black smoke was seen billowing into the air as the derelict building was torn apart by flames, said Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

The building, Boots and Laces Training Ground, was once used as the training facility for the National League side.

The blaze was dampened down in the early hours of today and crews have since left the scene.

The derelict two-storey building on the site, which the Blues vacated last year, was described as being "fully alight" by the fire service.

Crews from Southend were joined by colleagues from Rayleigh Weir, Rochford, Hawkwell, Leigh and Shoeburyness.

An aerial ladder platform was also used yesterday.

Advice to people living nearby to keep their doors and windows closed has since been lifted.

Incident Commander Steve Osborn said: "Crews are making steady progress to extinguish the fire, which has now been surrounded and is under control.

"The structure of the building has collapsed.

"Crews will be at the scene throughout the night to dampen down hotpots and make sure the area is entirely cool.

"If you live in the nearby area we would advise you close your windows as there is smoke coming from the scene."

The fire service has said an investigation will be carried out into the cause when it is safe to do so.

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