A DERELICT pub has caught fire.

Derby House, on London Road, Purfleet, caught fire earlier this afternoon.

Four fire engines were sent to the scene, which is situated at the end of a terrace, and reported the building was 50 per cent alight.

At 4.45pm, the officer in charge reported that the neighbouring property in the terrace was also smoke logged. Crews were divided into sectors to effectively surround and control the fire.

By 5.30pm, firefighters had gained access to the building and were working to extinguish hotspots.

London Road will be closed while firefighting continues. People have been advised to use alternative routes.