A FIRE investigation has been launched after flames ripped through a chalet bungalow.

Emergency services were called just before 6pm tonight after residents in Vauxhall Avenue, Jaywick, spotted flames coming from one of the chalet bungalows in the road.

Two fire crews were sent to the scene.

Luckily the home is currently unoccupied and no one was trapped inside.

Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went inside the burning building to tackle the flames using a hose reel.

It took about 30 minutes to get the fire under control and put out.

Sub officer Adrian Wallis, of Clacton fire station, said: "We had to take off a lot of roof tiles.

"The whole of the top floor was extensively damaged."

"The roof was very extensively damaged and we are treating it as suspicious."

One eye witness, who did not want to be named, said some youths had been spotted in the area before the fire started.

Anyone with information about the fire should call Clacton police on 01255 221312.