Firefighters battled to put out a burning barn for more than two and half hours last night.

Crews from Loughton, Waltham Abbey, Harlow Brentwood and Bishop's Stortford were called around 8.45pm to Duck Lane in North Weald Bassett, Thornwood.

The incident affected three buildings nearby, The Cart Shed restaurant and two houses, 30 per cent of which were damaged by the flames.

Essex Fire have announced an investigation has been launched to discover the cause of the fire, which is now known to be accidental.

A statement released on Essex Fire’s website says: “At 10.10pm, the officer in charge confirmed the fire had been extinguished. Crews are continuing to dampen down the structures of the buildings and the surrounding areas to ensure there is no risk of reignition.”

Essex and Hertfordshire fire crews eventually left the scene at 11.30pm.

A fire investigation will go ahead to establish the cause of the fire.