ARSONISTS set fire to a derelict bungalow - sparking appeals for it to be pulled down.

Witnesses say they saw children running away from the blazing bungalow in Garland Road, Parkeston.

The building has been empty for about 30 years.

Councillor Bill Davidson, who lives near the bungalow, said witnesses reported seeing four children in the area at the time of the fire.

He said: “Somebody saw them and called the police and the fire crew straight away.

“I live next door and I also saw the children so the police have got a description of them and hopefully will prosecute them. It is sad to think what the world is coming to.”

Mr Davidson said he had got in touch with Tendring Council asking it to demolish the derelict building because it is becoming dangerous.

He added: “The council said they are looking into it as it is a hazard for children.

“I feel somebody will get really hurt in there unless the problem is put to bed.

“The bungalow is dangerous, there is a big gap and a crack in the middle of it. If the bungalow collapses I fear somebody might get injured.”

He added Tendring Council is working hard to solve this issue but the land is privately owned.

“It’s difficult to solve the problem but they are doing their best,” he added.

“There is also a planning application in place for four houses on the land but nothing has been done about it.

“Different planning applications were submitted in the past 25 years, but it keeps changing all the time.”

Mr Davidson also said the bungalow has had around five or six owners in the past ten years.

“It is probably the most dangerous building in the area and the problem should be treated as a matter of urgency,” he said.

A spokesman for Tendring District Council said the bungalow was not one of its properties, but the safety of the site would be assessed.

“We will investigate to see if the structure is dangerous and therefore urgent action is required to be taken by the owner – a process which is usually a dialogue but could progress to enforcement if required,” he added.

“However, it would not be appropriate for the council to demolish a property it does not own, while the security of any site is also the responsibility of the owner.”

The fire started at about 12.50pm on Saturday. Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 quoting incident 510 of 15/02.