A man has been rescued from a derelict shop fire at a busy junction.

Fire crews with an aerial ladder platform rushed to the former Blockbuster shop at the junction of Hamlet Court Road and London Road, Westcliff at 06:23am today.

The firefighters found the fire was well developed on the third floor and roof space.

Watch Manager Daniel Wastell, Southend Fire Station, said: "When the call came in we knew there was a chance that there could be people in the building, so our priority was to search the area quickly.

"We found a man on the first floor, who we led to safety, and then searched the rest of the building to ensure it was empty.

"Crews then did an excellent job of containing the fire and quickly bringing it under control."

The fire was completely extinguished by 7.30am.

The third floor and roof area of the building has been completely destroyed.

Following an investigation the cause of the fire has been recorded as either accidental or deliberate both possibilities.