A woman was evacuated from her home when a 19th century pavilion was destroyed by a fire.

The home, in the lodge next to the building in Old Heath recreation ground, Colchester, sustained smoke and water damage.

The well-known pavilion was well alight and the blaze was spreading towards the adjoining house when fire crews arrived at about 9.15pm on Saturday.

One witness said smoke began billowing out of the side of the pavilion and then was engulfed in flames.

Head groundsman Don Dansey, who was immediately called to the scene, saw flames rising six feet above the pavilion's roof.

While the fire was raging Old Heath Road was closed.

Fire officers were still on the scene the following morning.

Fire station officer Andy Butcher said there was reason to believe the fire was of doubtful origin. Further investigations will be carried out by fire and police.

Mr Dansey said there was an increasing problem with gangs in the area and the tennis pavilion had been vandalised recently.

"We keep finding bits of burnt paper and lighters about. It just shows how this area's deteriorating," he said.

New Town councillor Theresa Higgins (Lib Dem) who saw the blaze said: "It is a historic building but it is also an opportunity to rebuild with modern facilities to keep the character of the building.

"Children should also be warned of the dangers of playing in those buildings. It is a wooden building and it went up very easily because of that."

The 19th century pavilion, sealed off after the fire

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