Firestarters are thought to have sparked two fires on houses.

Scene of the fire in Jaywick

Arsonists are thought to have started a blaze which nearly destroyed a derelict seaside chalet bungalow in Jaywick today.

And firefighters believe a fire in Walton last night may also have been started deliberately.

Fire crews from Clacton and Weeley were called to Meadow Way, Jaywick, early today. They found a chalet alight, with flames shooting through the roof.

No-one was inside the building and firecrews prevented the blaze spreading to neighbouring chalets which had people in them.

The roof of the chalet was destroyed and some of the interior walls were also damaged by the blaze.

Firecrews were also in action in Walton last night.

Firefighters from Frinton and Clacton went to a three-storey terraced house on the seafront after a fire started about 8pm.

The blaze was on the first floor of the house, in Princes Esplanade, which is divided into three flats.

Published Friday June 18, 2004

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