A FAMILY told how they have been forced to sleep in their shed after their house was damaged in a suspected arson attack.

A blaze destroyed the roof of a council property in Mornington Road, Canvey, before quickly spreading to the neighbouring house.

While the council tenants - believed to be a mum and her young children - are understood to have moved into temporary housing, the neighbours have stayed put.

The family of three adults, who do not want to be identified, said emergency accommodation offered by Castle Point Council was not suitable. Instead, they are sleeping in their shed.

A fundraising campaign has been launched to help fund repair bills. They were not covered by house insurance at the time of the blaze.

One of residents said: “We are lucky to be alive.

“The support and help from the community has been amazing. We had a lady who offered us her last £4.

“The community on Canvey has really come together to support us.”

The suspected arson attack, which took place on Monday night, came after two-and-a-half years of antisocial behaviour plaguing the street.

The Echo has seen recordings of children threatening people with knives. Residents have also been subjected to verbal abuse.

A neighbour in Mornington Road, Canvey, who did not want to be identified, added: “It has been going on for two-and-a-half years. There has been an unprecedented amount of antisocial incidents. It is unbelievable.

“There must have been about three or four a week over the two-and-a-half years.”

David Marchant, chief executive of Castle Point Council, previously told the Echo the authority was aware of complaints of antisocial behaviour in Mornington Road.

The council did not respond to requests for another comment before the Echo went to print.

Essex Police was also contacted.

The fundraising campaign has so far raised £350. To donate, visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/amanda-cooper