Fire fighters are tackling a blaze at the Kings Head pub in Bradwell-on-Sea.

Four appliances were intiially sent to the scene.

On arrival, the incident commander requested the attendance of an aerial ladder platform to assist in firefighting operations.

At 5.32am, the incident commander reported that it was a two storey building measuring 20m x 12m and that the whole of the roof was alight.

Firefighters were using four jets and four hose reels to extinguish the blaze and protect nearby properties. A water bowser was en route to the scene.

At 5.43pm, incident commander Assistant Divisional Officer Dave Moore said: "This is a well developed fire affecting the whole of the pub. Efforts are being made to extinguish the blaze and protect surrounding properties."

Firefighters were using four hose reels at the scene.

The cause of the blaze is thought to be suspicious.

Once the fire is out, a joint Police and Fire Service investigation will be carried out to establish the cause.

Crews have requested the attendance of Electricity Board engineers to isolate power and deal with external wiring and a structural engineer.

They have also asked British Telecom engineers to attend the scene to assist crews who are having to remove telephone lines to position to aerial ladder platform close to the property to be used in fire fighting operations.

The fire service has no further information at this stage.