AN UNOCCUPIED bungalow in Stanford-le-Hope has been destroyed by a fire.

Firefighters were called to an address in Branksome Avenue at 4.10pm yesterday and reported the property was 100 per cent alight.

They used four jets to extinguish the fire, after electricity supply to the property was isolated.

The fire was fully extinguished by 5.35pm.

Station officer Geoff Wheal said: "Crews did an absolutely marvellous job in bringing this incident to a swift conclusion.

“When we arrived at the scene, flames were licking through the roof and quickly after that, the entire roof collapsed in.

"This is the second major blaze in the Corringham area within days and our firefighters have proved their professionalism at both jobs."

The bungalow has been unoccupied for several months as developers seek planning permission to build on the site.

A joint police and fire service investigation will be carried out to establish the cause.