ESSEX Police have confirmed the arrest of a man suspected of involvement in starting the fire that destroyed the historic World's End pub in Tilbury yesterday.

Extensive coverage of the blaze at the 17th century Grade-II listed building can be found on the pages of Thurrock Nub News, which also reported live from the scene this morning (Thursday, 24 September).

Yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, 23 September), while flames were still rising from the pub's roof, police handcuffed and arrested a man who had been on the scene from the moment the alarm was raised.

A statement from Essex Police released today says: "An arrest was made after officers attended reports of a fire at the World's End pub in Tilbury.

"We were called shortly after 4.40pm.

"Our officers attended and arrested a man, aged in his 20s, on suspicion of arson.

"He remains in custody for questioning and our investigation continues.

"If anyone has any information or footage which could assist our enquiries, please get in touch.

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website where you can use our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

"Visit https://www.essex.police.uk/digital101to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101.

"If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on Twitter at @CrimestoppersUK, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111."

Meanwhile investigation teams from both police and Essex Fire Service were due at the scene, where two teams of firefighters remained on watch during the night, today.

Keeping a close watch on proceedings after the disastrous event is pub owner, local businessman Dermott McGuiness, who says he is devastated by the loss of the building, which will leave him with a substantial financial loss. However, he said: "We had plans for the building and business which I believe was still viable, but that's over now and there is little we can do to recover our losses, but I don't wish to go into the financial position.

"What is actually more important is that this was only bricks and mortar - albeit historic bricks - and no-one was injured.

"I am grateful to the emergency services for what they tried to do in very difficult and dangerous circumstances."

Two chimneys still stand amid the charred and smoking ruins of the pub, which was mentioned in the works of Charles Dickens and was a known drinking haunt of famed diarist Samuel Pepys.

He was a high-ranking naval administrator well-acquainted with this strategic stretch of the River Thames. It is believed that he remarked that the isolated, marshy riverside outpost felt like "the end of the world". The tavern was originally called the Ferry House and then the Lamb. It formally changed its name to the World's End in 1667.

Also see: World's End pub gutted in blaze. Exclusive film and pictures