POLICE are treating a blaze which almost destroyed a timber industrial building as deliberate.

Six fire crews were called to the East Mersea building around 9pm on Saturday.

Firefighters received 17 emergency calls reporting a large amount of smoke in the area.

Crews from West Mersea, Colchester, Tollesbury, Wivenhoe and Tiptree rushed to the building in East Road.

A police spokesman said: "We believe the fire may have been started deliberately and we are working closely with our partners to establish the circumstances around the cause.

"Enquiries are ongoing."

This drone footage, courtesy of Kevin Jay, shows the blaze underway last night.

Police forensics officers have been investigating at the scene today and fire crews have been assessing the site.

The three-storey timber clad building measured approximately 15m x 40m.

The fire was out by 10.45pm.