Arsonists were today being hunted by police after sparking a blaze which wrecked a vital community hall for the elderly on Canvey.
Firefighters arrived at the WRVS base in Poplar Road minutes after receiving calls from members of the public at 9pm yesterday.
The fire took hold in the building's roof after joyriders torched a Shogun just a metre from the hall.
Two firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the building in search of life and both the island's crews spent an hour-and-a-half taming the blaze.
Fireman Russell Freeman said: "The hall was completely wrecked."
Published Monday January 19, 2004
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