DEMOLITION work is today under way at the site of a former town fire station.

The 12.5m masonry training tower block at Colchester Road fire station was first built in 1984. Work began to demolish the tower yesterday and is due to continue today.

The fire station and fire control station opened in November 1962 but closed in October last year when new premises were opened in Ransomes Europark.

A 55-tonne excavator with a concrete cracker is being used to carry out the high level demolition down to the first floor.

The machine is linked to a fire hydrant to ensure the dust created by the demolition is suppressed.

A 20-tonne excavator with an attached concrete pulveriser will demolish the remaining structure down to ground level.

During the demolition, a second 20-tonne excavator will clear the area to a temporary stockpile which will then be loaded into a lorry and transported off site for recycling.

As much as 90 per cent of material taken from the site will be recycled.

A council spokesman said: “Dust suppression techniques and regular boundary monitoring will be used to minimise any inconvenience to residents in the area.”

The work is scheduled for completion by September.

Hopkins Homes plans to build 60 homes on the site, subject to planning permission.

Speaking to The Star earlier this year, assistant chief fire officer Mark Sanderson said: “We would like to thank the people who live in that area who have been very good neighbours for the fire service since the headquarters were built in the 1960s.

“I hope they will be happy with what happens on the site in the future.”