Flames ripped through buildings on the derelict Severalls Hospital site in Colchester.
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Arsonists are suspected to be behind the blaze, which saw the former social club in the hospital grounds "engulfed in flames".
Four fire crews - two from Colchester and one each from Wivenhoe and Mersea - were sent out to the fire, which was reported at 5.40am yesterday.
Firefighters donned breathing apparatus and used three jets and a hosereel to tackle the blaze, which was visible from the Northern Approaches Road.
The fire is being treated as suspicious. The former hospital is owned by North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and has long suffered problems with vandalism and arson.
More in today's Evening Gazette
Published Monday, January 16, 2006
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