A Sainsburys that was caught up in the fire from a neighbouring building has been closed until further notice.

The Chafford Hundred branch of Sainsburys on Burghley Road has been shut after the flames that had engulfed a block of half-built flats next door had spread to the back of the store.

The store was evacuated but the firefighters managed to get the flames under control before they spread into the main store.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Our Chafford Hundred store was evacuated following a nearby fire that later spread to our building. 

"We’re thankful no colleagues or customers were hurt.  The store will remain closed while the extent of the damage is assessed.”

A spokesman for the fire service said: "The derelict building has been completely destroyed by the fire.

"The supermarket's storage area at the back of the building has been damaged, but firefighters managed to stop it spreading to the main store."

The fire came from a set of unfinished flats on Howard Road which were destroyed in the blaze.

The fire was extinguished at 7:30pm