Fire in restaurant 'suspicious'

A suspicious fire in a restaurant in Essex is being investigated by police and fire service officers.

Four Essex fire crews were called to the blaze at the restaurant in Drury Lane, Braintree, on Saturday at about 2200 BST.

Neighbouring properties were evacuated, said an Essex Fire Service spokesman.

The fire was extinguished by about 2300 BST. The spokesman said the cause of the fire is unknown and is believed to be suspicious.