ARSONISTS have targeted a semi-detached house on Canvey leaving two families without a home.

The blaze destroyed the roof at the council property in Mornington Road and the fierce fire led to the loft caving in.

The fire spread to the adjoining home and three adults who live there, but do not want to be identified, managed to get outside before the fire properly took hold.

It is believed a mum and her young children were living in the house subject to the arson attack.

A relative of the family, who were living in the fire-damaged neighbouring property, said: “The neighbours had hundreds of black bags outside in the garden, so we thought maybe they had been set alight. However, when they looked outside, they saw the flames next door.

“Luckily they managed to get everyone out, and their two dogs.

“They had to leave their fish behind and they now can’t get back into their house as it is unsafe.

“It is heart wrenching. It is really lucky they were awake as due to their jobs they are sometimes in bed by 7pm.

“They are really lucky to have not been killed.

“It is disgusting that something like this could happen.

“It makes me sick to the stomach.”

Three crews were called to tackle the blaze.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “On arrival firefighters reported the roof was completely alight and the loft had collapsed onto the first floor.

“Firefighters worked to remove roof tiles and tackled the fire from the outside.

“It was extinguished by 10.10pm. A police spokesman said: “One property suffered extensive damage and a neighbouring property suffered smoke and water damage.

“Police are treating this incident as an arson.”

David Marchant, chief executive of Castle Point Council, said the council was aware of complaints involving anti-social behaviour in the road - and believes the arson was in relation to these.

He added: “The council has been working with a number of different agencies for a considerable period of time to deal with this and other tenancy issues.”

The council is working with emergency services to find the cause of the fire and has offered temporary accommodation to the two families.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det Sgt Steve Franklin at Southend CID on 101.