Hall devastated by second fire within a year

Repairs to a fire-damaged community hall have been pushed back after a second blaze ravaged the building.

Work on the Burrsville Public Hall in Great Clacton, Essex, were earmarked for completion by mid-April after it suffered serious damage last year.

A joint investigation by Essex Police and Essex Fire and Rescue Service has been launched after a blaze at the hall on Sunday.

Peter Kotz, the cabinet member for assets at Tendring District Council, said they were working with the authorities to "ensure those responsible are held accountable".

The hall has been used by Burrsville Residents' Association since April 1987, with a 21-year extension to the lease being signed in 2014.

The cause of the fire in March 2024 was recorded as "undetermined".

Kotz said the council was "deeply saddened and frustrated" by a second fire.

"Sadly, the building and some nearby sheds were damaged by a further fire on Sunday evening," he said.

He added that a further insurance claim would be needed as well as additional works.

Kotz continued: "The fire was mainly confined to storage sheds, but it also affected fencing and a neighbour's shed.

"One of the doors to the rear of the building has been damaged and will now need to be replaced, and a section of the building gable that had just been replaced needs to be repaired again.

"Fortunately, the fire didn't catch the roof trusses, which had just been ice-blasted to clean off the smoke damage from the previous fire.

"We are working closely with the authorities to investigate these incidents and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

"In the meantime, we remain committed to restoring the hall to its former glory as quickly as possible."

Essex Police said: "Alongside colleagues at Essex Fire and Rescue Service, we're investigating an incident in Gorse Lane, Clacton, which took place shortly after 23:00 on Sunday 2 March."

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