By James Simons-
Crew from three fire stations were called to the former Odeon cinema, in Crouch Street, Colchester, shortly after 7pm today.
It took around an hour and a half to extinguish the fire, the cause of which is currently unknown.
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A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We were called to a fire in a derelict building in Crouch Street, Colchester, today at 7.01pm.
“Crews from Colchester, Weeley, and West Mersea attended and extinguished the fire, which was affecting about a quarter of the building, by 8.24pm.“Firefighters will remain at the scene to dampen down and check for hotspots.”
The cause of the fire is currently unknown, but Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it will carry out an investigation to establish the cause.
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The historic building has remained empty for more than two decades.
It is the second time a fire has been started on the building.
In 2017, fire fighters similarly rushed to the scene after a fire was started there.
Colchester councillor Steph Nissen, who represents residents in the city centre, thanked firefighters for their efforts.
She said: “The old Odeon has a lot of nostalgic love for people who grew up in Colchester and it’s been sitting empty for too long.
“Arson is never ok. Wildfires are raging across the world and people are being selfish by starting fires in our city centre.
“It’s high time the site is restored to a thriving building, whether it be residential or another venue. It needs to be done now.
“It looks ugly, unloved, and uncared for, and I think that’s why it gets targeted”.
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