Firefighters battled a blaze started by arsonists at a derelict Southend pub early today (Friday).

They were sent to the smoke-logged Invisible Man, at the junction of Hamstel Road and Eastern Avenue, at around 11.15pm after being called by police.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus searched the building following reports by police officers they heard a "thud" in it - but no-one was found.

Fire crews from Southend were joined by engines from Leigh and Rochford as well as the aerial ladder from Southend.

Martyn Hodder, Southend fire station's assistant divisional officer, said: "There was a lot of smoke in the building because it was boarded up and couldn't escape.

"One of the boarding sheets had been broken on the beer garden side of the pub and there were signs of forced entry."

The fire started on a pile of mattresses in the basement - it was under control by 12.30am. An investigation was under way today (Friday).

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