THE landlady of the White Hart pub in Grays has thanked customers who dealt with a fire in one of the pub's toilets last evening (Tuesday, 25 February), which she believes had been set deliberately.

Benice Ryley says:" I can't thank two of my customers enough. They got the fire out before it could have got into the pub.

"It could have been a lot worse and thank God no one was injured.

"The fire engine was on the scene within minutes,.

"There is no damage to the bar areas. One of the toilets is out of use but it's business as usual.

"Thank you to my customers for being caring and concerned for me. It means a lot.

"I've got CCTV of who went into the toilets and I think it was arson. Whoever did it endangered lives and is a coward."