A DERELICT pub has been targeted by arsonists for the second time in two days.

Firefighters were called to deal with a blaze in the once-popular Esplanade pub in Western Esplanade, Southend.

Passers-by described seeing smoke coming from the roof of the building about 7pm.

The fire has prompted owners Redab to board up the property to try to stop the vandalism once and for all.

A spokesman for the company, which is in the process of selling the site to another developer, said: “The company has visited the site and boarded it up now.

“We are doing what we can to make the building as secure as possible.”

Ann Holland, councillor responsible for culture, tourism and the economy, said: “My praise goes to the emergency services who have had to deal with this sort of thing.

“It’s really hard to understand these mindless people who like to set light to things.

“Their behaviour makes me really despair.”

Mrs Holland added: “I’m glad the developer has had it all boarded up now and I’m sorry for any inconvenience caused by these people.”

Fire crews were first called out to the derelict pub on Sunday night to put out a blaze on the first floor of the property.

The second fire was started on Monday evening.

When firefighters from Southend, Leigh and Rochford arrived at the property they reported the building was already full of smoke.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to check no one was inside and managed to extinguish the fire by 9pm.

An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the fire.