A DEVELOPER has been criticised over its security, after a series of derelict buildings went up in flames.

Seven fire engines tackled the blaze, on Sunday, at the former Hyderabad Barracks, in Mersea Road, Colchester.

The barracks were built at the turn of the 20th century and named after a princely state in India.

The last unit to occupy the buildings was 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, which moved to the new Merville Barracks, in October 2008, on its return from Afghanistan.

The buildings are due to be demolished by Taylor Wimpey to make way for housing.

It filed plans with Colchester Council last June to build 500 homes on the 33-acre site of Hyderabad and the adjacent Meeanee barracks.

No decision has been made on the application, which would include 436 new houses and flats and the conversion of five of the existing buildings into 64 flats.

Colchester MP Bob Russell has called on the developer to improve security, claiming the site has previously been targeted by vandals.

He said: “I am very angry about this. Firefighters who go into derelict buildings are putting their lives at risk, so clearly, those who started the fire are endangering the lives of those firefighters.

“However, Taylor Wimpey has a major responsibility to ensure the site is properly protected and security is maintained 24 hours a day.

“After the wanton vandalism at the sergeants’ mess, it is very disappointing that whatever security measures it has are inadequate.”

Danny Clark, garrison redevelopment project manager for Taylor Wimpey, said he had not heard about the blaze until the Gazette contacted him.

He added: “It is not good if any building is destroyed by fire, even if it is earmarked for demolition.

“But I am relieved to hear it is not one of those due for refurbishment.

“It would be very sad if buildings with any character were destroyed.”

No one from a senior level at Taylor Wimpey was available yesterday to comment on the issues regarding security.

The cause of the fire is being treated as suspicious and is being investigated by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.