Police believe a fire at a poultry farm that killed 13,000 chickens was started deliberately.

The barn, at Sparlings Farm in Braintree Road, Felsted, contained birds and egg production equipment and measured 40 metres by 10 metres

It was completely alight when crews arrived just after midnight on Thursday.

Two crews from Braintree, two from Dunmow and the water bowser from Chelmsford were able to protect the surrounding area but the building itself collapsed. 

DI Alan Stevens, of Braintree CID, said: "Naturally, the owners are devastated at the loss of a significant part of their business, and at the cruel manner in which their animals died.

"We are working with the fire service to investigate the cause of the blaze and are appealing for witnesses who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at around the time of the fire to contact us.”

Assistant Divisional Officer Darren Fearn, who is part of the fire service team investigating the cause of the blaze, said: "When crews arrived they were faced with a large wooden building which was completely engulfed.

"Crews did an excellent job in containing the fire and preventing it spreading but it was already too late for all the chickens inside.

"We believe that around 13,000 chickens were killed in the fire."

Anyone with information can call DS Mike Pannell at Braintree CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or crimestoppers-uk.org.