Arsonists have struck again at a derelict woodyard in Southend which is the subject of a major planning battle.

Firefighters were called to the site in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff, at 3.45pm on Friday to find wood had been piled up against one of the walls and set alight.

Crews managed to put out the flames in ten minutes, before the blaze was able to spread.

However, firefighter Lee Burling said: "The building is mostly made of wood so if it had spread and the building had caught light there could have been a massive fire.

"We believe the fire was started deliberately as someone had piled up the wood against a wall before setting light to it."

There have been several arson attacks at the woodyard which is in the centre of a densely populated part of Southend.

Developers Higgins Homes want to built housing on the site, but plans have been rejected by Southend Council's development control committee, although supported by officers.

Pressure group the Residents of Westborough is campaigning against the proposed housing development.

Published Monday October 14, 2002

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