FIREFIGHTERS have tackled a deliberate grass fire at a college.

Crews from Rochford, Hawkwell, Basildon and Shoebury attended the 50m by 60m fire in an enclosed quadrangle at a college, believed to be Castle Point & Rochford Adult Community College in Rocheway, Rochford.

When crews arrived at about 6.45pm the address they reported they could see alot of black smoke coming from the middle of the building.

Firefighters pitched ladders up and climbed onto the roof and found the fire was in the middle of the building which was an enclosed quandrangle area of grass.

Firefighters managed to quickly extinguish the fire and stop the fire from spreading to the building.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as deliberate.

Firefighters left the incident at 7.30pm in the care of the police.