Fire that severely damaged house treated as arson

Three fire crews extinguished the blaze on Monday afternoon

A fire that left a house uninhabitable is being treated as arson by detectives.

Flames spread from an alleyway in Raphael Avenue, Tilbury, to the property on Monday afternoon, Essex Police said.

Officers have appealed for witnesses who saw "someone acting suspiciously" in the area between 15:00 and 16:00 BST to come forward.

The alleyway was shut to the public after three fire crews extinguished the blaze.