Basildon Council has rejected claims it failed to take action to prevent arsonists striking again after derelict houses were destroyed in a fire.
The blaze, which gutted four houses in Handley Green, Laindon, in the early hours of Monday, prompted an angry response from residents living nearby. They claimed nothing had been done to secure the houses.
Steven Arris, 40, who lives in Handley Green, one of five estates which part of a big regeneration, project, claimed youths regularly used the houses.
He said they had been empty since December and despite calls to the council, nothing was done.
Roy Hilleard, 65, said people used the premises as a dumping site.
But the council said it had all it could to protect the properties, some of which were so badly damaged in the inferno that they had to be demolished.
A spokesman said: "Every time there have been reports of teenagers setting up camp, we have made the properties secure by putting up metal cladding but they have been able to break through it."
Published Thursday May 27, 2004
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