A SQUIRREL or a rodent may have caused the devastating blaze at a Grade II listed building.

Essex Fire and Rescue service have said the cause of the fire at the Sergeants' Mess is undetermined and no further investigations will be carried out.

Resident Beverly Davies, who lives near the 19th fire ravaged building, said police had searched the perimetre to ensure no-one was inside.

No evidence had been found of anyone in the building and the fire may well have been caused by animals chewing through electrical wires causing them to short out.