Firefighters tackle blaze that started next to Southend United's football stadium

FIREFIGHTERS have tackled a blaze that started next to Southend United FC's ground this evening.

Thick black smoke could be seen billowing above Roots Hall Stadium, which is home to the struggling League One club.

It broke out just before 5.20pm this evening and was extinguished around an hour later.

Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called to Victoria Avenue, the main road behind the stadium in Essex, and found 10 pallets of artificial grass were alight and causing a large amount of smoke.

There are no reported injuries and firefighters worked quickly to put out the fire, while two further crews, from Leigh-on-Sea and Hawkwell, were requested to assist.

A witness told the Southend Echo: "The fire was just to the left of the Far Post Bar entrance to the East Stand in the ground and not in the stadium itself.

"I'm led to believe it was unused astroturf which the club had been storing which was on fire."

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Southend United, who are in a relegation dogfight, host promotion hopefuls Sunderland at Roots Hall in their final game of the season on Saturday.

A spokesman for the club said: "Essex Fire Service have successfully attended to a fire which broke out just after 5.20pm in a storage area to the left of the Far Post Bar entrance.

"Nobody was injured and we are thankful to the quick response."

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