A raging fire has ripped through the heart of a derelict hospital.
Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (45023-2)
The blaze at the old Severalls Hospital could be seen from miles around as firefighters battled to bring it under control yesterday morning.
They managed to put it out after two hours, but damage to the theatre block means it has been left unsafe to enter.
Nobody was hurt in the incident. The fire at the site, off Mill Road, Colchester, is being treated as suspicious.
The town's White Watch, as well as crews from Wivenhoe, Manningtree and the Chelmsford aerial ladder platform, were called to the scene after 5am.
In ruins - firefighters at the former Severalls Hospital site in Colchester. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (45017-2)
Station commander Andy Butcher said: "There was substantial damage to the theatre block. A lot of the steel works expanded from the heat and pulled some of the walls out."
After bringing the blaze under control, crews withdrew from the building as it had become structurally insecure. Over the next few days, they will continue to observe the site after dampening down the hot spots.
A spokesman for the Trust said: "Severalls is a large site and arrangements are in place to provide 24 hour security cover."
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, September 19, 2005
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