A THURROCK pub has been destroyed in a fire overnight.

The sun rose today (Sunday, 20 September) to the sorry site of a gutted Jack O'Lantern pub on Daiglen Drive, South Ockendon.

The fire was discovered around 2am and crews of firefighters from Orsett, Grays and Wennington tackled the blaze through the night. The fire was extinguished just before 4pm and crews stayed on site damping down. The last crew left the scene just after 7.30am.

A statement from the Essex Fire Service said: "On arrival, crews reported that a food van was on fire and the flames had spread to a neighbouring pub roof, which was 75% alight.

"Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire by 3:57am.

"A man living in the property has been rendered homeless after the fire caused the roof to collapse and the first floor was left badly smoke damaged.

"An investigation into the cause of the fire will take place later today."