FIREFIGHTERS tackled a small blaze in the scffolding around the Arthur Toft tower block in Grays last night (Wednesday, 24 July).

Crews were sent to the block on New Road, at 7.24pm last night after reports of a small fire affecting a scaffolding dustsheet.

Firefighters extinguished the fire within a few minutes and the service has recorded the cause of the blaze as deliberate. 

The block, and its neighbouring towers, have been the subject of a long and controversial scheme to replace insulation and window, that has dragged on for several years.

There have been many previous complaints about security and safety issues around the scaffolding.

In October last year a man died in neighbouring George Crooks House after raiders entered a flat in via scaffolding.

The state of the flats was highlighted in a Nub News report last October when local ward councillor Martin Kerin said: "He told Thurrock Nub News: "The situation for my residents living in the six tower blocks is becoming increasingly unbearable.

"The scaffolding is a magnet for anti-social behaviour and with the lack of information coming from Thurrock Council, many in the community cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.

"The fear and uncertainty has been compounded by the awful incident at George Crooks House, whereby the scaffolding was used to gain illegal entry to the block.

"My residents need to know what is happening, and how long they will have to live with the delays to their blocks being refurbished.

"The lack of answers from Thurrock Council is frustrating and unacceptable. The local community deserve so much better."

Related stories:

https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/call-for-more-cctv-and-preventative-action-over-anti-social-behaviour-on-grays-estate-and-new-flats-area

https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/focus-turns-again-to-problem-of-damp-and-mould-in-south-grays-beleaguered-high-rise-blocks-215071