TILBURY'S four Thurrock Council members have paid tribute to emergency services involved in yesterday's (Wednesday, 23 September) blaze at the historic World's End pub by the town's Thames riverside.

Despite a fire and rescue service effort that included an appliance from London Fire Service and deployment of an aerial platform ladder, the 17th century grade-II listed building could not be saved.

Speaking on behalf of colleagues, Cllrs Shirley Bartlett, Hayley Pyman-Brickwood and David Hollenbach, Cllr Bailey Scott who personally witnessed the fire, said: "We are deeply saddened to see the destruction of the World's End Pub following yesterday's devastating fire. The building has stood for centuries and holds generations of memories for the people of Tilbury.

"To see such an important part of our town's history and heritage lost is truly heartbreaking.

"Our sincere thanks go to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and all emergency services involved for their incredible efforts in tackling such a challenging fire.

"I'm also grateful to the Port of Tilbury Police for their swift response and assistance in keeping the public safe.

"Now is a time to cherish the memories made at the World's End with family and friends, and remember the special place it held in our community.

"We await further updates from the relevant authorities as investigations continue."

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Cllr Russell Cherry, newly appointed cabinet member for Veterans, Enforcement and Environment, joined in the expression of sympathy, saying: "Thurrock has an incredible heritage and the World's End is an important part of that, so I was terribly sorry to learn of the fire which has all but destroyed it.

"Only last week we launched the borough's Heritage Trail, with the World's End being one of the sites that people could see. It is a clear and tangible connection to Tilbury's rich naval history.

"It has been frequented by such luminaries as Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe and Moll Flanders, and was visited by Samuel Pepys, who mentioned the visit in his diary.

"I would like to thank the fire crews who fought so hard and battled the fire so bravely. I understand that Essex County Fire and Rescue Service are investigating the cause of the blaze and that the police have made an arrest. I have reached out to both the police and fire services for more information.

"It is my sincere hope that the World's End pub will recover from this terrible fire and that a new pub will be built on this spot.

"It is not the first time fire has destroyed the building, yet the World's End has recovered, so it is my hope this will happen once more."