A RESIDENTS’ group has been left to pick up the pieces after arsonists inflicted thousands of pounds worth of damage to a community building.

A bin was deliberately set alight in Berecroft and the blaze soon spread to a shed before the roof of an adjacent building owned by Berecroft Residents Association caught fire at about 4.30am on Thursday.

Harlow firefighters were called but by the time the blaze was put out the roof was destroyed, causing an estimated £20,000 damage.

Two other fires had been started within 500m of each other in the adjacent Lower Meadow estate just minutes earlier, although these were confined to litter bins.

The wrecked building was used by residents and community groups for regular meetings and workshops but all activities have now had to be postponed indefinitely.

BRA spokesman Lee Dangerfield said: “We’re absolutely gutted. This fire has torn the heart out of our community. The office was a hub of activity on the estate, and it has now been cruelly taken from us.

“We’re looking at £20,000 worth of damage here and it will probably take close to six months to get it repaired by the time the insurance payment comes through. It’s just unbelievable that all the fantastic work that went on there will be lost.

“I’ve seen some of our elderly residents brought to tears by what’s happened. I just really hope that the people responsible for this crime are brought to justice as soon as possible.”

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We would like to reassure the community that, following these incidents, we are increasing patrols in the area. We carried out door-to-door inquiries in the Berecroft area and are determined to find the culprits.

“We would particularly like to hear from anyone who might have been in the area at the time, maybe walking their dogs before going to work, to contact us, no matter how insignificant the information may seem.”

Call Harlow police on (01279) 641212 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(From Local the star newspaper)