Wasteland which has turned into a regular target for firebugs has been lit again - three times in two-and-a-half hours.

Firefighters have been plagued with emergency calls to a huge area of grassland behind Safeway, off Northwick Road, Canvey.

The latest series of blazes comes hot-on-the-heels of two fires, each an acre in size, which caused mayhem on Easter Monday.

Two engines from Canvey fire station, in Long Road, were sent back to the land yesterday three times between 3.17pm and 5.45pm.

They were confronted with fires the size of tennis courts and used hose reels and beaters to put out the flames.

The blazes are believed to have been deliberately started by children.

Crime reduction officer Jason Sculthorpe made an appeal to the culprits. He said: "These fires are very dangerous and could endanger not only their own lives, but others as well.

"The arsonists must think before they act, or their irresponsible actions could lead to a tragic situation no one wants to see. Anyone spotted starting a fire should be reported to us straight away."

Published Thursday, April 24, 2003

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