Church premises damaged by High Street fire

Firefighters said Billericay High Street was closed while crews tackled the blaze

A church premises in Essex has been badly damaged in a fire.

Revival Church Billericay said it had been affected by heat and smoke caused by the blaze at the town's community hub in the High Street.

The county's fire service said four crews were sent after it was reported at about 15:00 BST on Thursday.

The church wrote on Facebook that the fire also affected Billericay and Basildon Street Pastors and some first-floor offices.

Four crews attended the fire at the back of the community hub in Billericay high street

"Significant damage" was caused to Baby Basics Billericay and it would be "closed for the foreseeable future", the group added.

The church said the fire started downstairs at the rear of the community hub, but that "those in the building were able to get out safely".

"We appreciate the love and support of our community during this time," a spokesperson said.

"There is much to be done and our passion for having a community facility remains undiminished."

Firefighters said Billericay High Street was closed while crews tackled the blaze.

Street Pastor Phil Norton said the damage was "absolutely horrendous".

"At the moment certain aspects of it are a total write-off," he told BBC Essex.

"We are still licking our wounds and getting through some of the emotion of it all."