Firefighters narrowly escaped serious injury when a burning building collapsed on them as they fought a blaze in Colchester.

Crews wearing breathing apparatus were fighting flames in a two-storey office block attached to Colchester Park central clinic, off the High Street, Colchester, just before 5am today (Friday).

Two firefighters wearing the heavy equipment were standing in a doorway when the whole first floor, roof and walls collapsed in front of them.

Firefighter Tim Malyon, said it was only their training that saved them.

"It was a bit daunting - the whole thing came down in front of us and we were evacuated."

But teams then had to go back in to put out the fire and stop it spreading to adjoining buildings.

A full fire investigation was due to take place today (Friday).

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