Firefighters rush to shopping centre as car park goes up in flames

Firefighters have rushed to Lakeside Shopping Centre in south Essex where a car park has gone up in flames.

Footage shared on social media shows a large cloud of black smoke billowing into the sky from the roof of a car park.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze started in the stairwell on the roof of the car park.

Firefighters from Grays, Corringham and Brentwood have extinguished the blaze and an investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire. 

A notice on the Lakeside’s website states that Car Park A is currently closed.  

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.