FIRE officials have been left scratching their heads at what caused a blaze in an abandoned cannabis farm.

Emergency service workers rushed to the former Gamet Bearings factory in Greenstead Road, Colchester, on Tuesday afternoon.

The disused property, which comprises of five sections, had gone up in smoke shortly after 1pm.

Six fire crews fought to keep the flames at bay and managed to ensure the damage was kept mostly internal.

Gazette: Emergency - fire crews at the scene in Greenstead RoadEmergency - fire crews at the scene in Greenstead Road (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Thick smell - police officers wear masks at the sceneThick smell - police officers wear masks at the scene (Image: Newsquest)

Eyewitness Gerry Sharpe said he understands homeless people who had been living in the building were being supported by the police.

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “The building, which measures approximately 15m x 30m, comprises of five sections.

“Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire by 3pm. It is not known what caused the fire.”

Crews from Colchester, Wivenhoe, Clacton, Brightlingsea, Witham and Chelmsford flocked to the scene in response.

Gazette: Fire - a fire engine outside the derelict Gamet Bearings buildingFire - a fire engine outside the derelict Gamet Bearings building (Image: ECFRS)

Gazette: Damage - the building after the blazeDamage - the building after the blaze (Image: ECFRS)Greenstead councillor Tim Young urged the community to avoid the building while it remains vacant.

He said: “Everybody needs to keep away from it until the owner makes it secure, which they need to.

“It ought to be secure and people should really treat it as private property and not go near it.

“The fire could have been very, very serious and it is fortunate that no lives were lost or people hurt.”

Gazette: Cordon - police officers shut Greenstead RoadCordon - police officers shut Greenstead Road (Image: Newsquest)

Gazette: Appeal - Tim YoungAppeal - Tim Young (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Young implored the building’s owner to submit an “appropriate” planning application in order to improve the site.

Plans to revive the property by converting it into 65 apartments are under review by planning bosses at Colchester Council.

Greenstead Road was closed throughout Tuesday afternoon as residents were warned to avoid the area.

Police officers wearing masks advised passers-by to avoid coming too close to the cordon due to the thick smell enveloping the area.

Shoppers attempting to visit the Hythe Tesco superstore and towards the University of Essex were asked to turn around, while those heading to the city centre faced short delays.

Gamet Bearings was set up in the 1950s but bought by rival, Huddersfield based firm HB Bearings in 2019.