AROUND 30 pensioners were evacuated from a care home after three cars caught fire in a blaze that is being treated as arson.

Emergency services were called to Helmores in Laindon at about 9pm last night following reports of the blaze.

Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions as the vehicle’s petrol tanks exploded.

The cars were outside the flat but the flames began to creep towards the building. 

The police service confirmed they are initially treating the fire as suspicious but said that no-one was hurt.

Three vehicles were left burnt out, while two others were damaged as well as the flats.

Two fire crews from Basildon and one fire crew from Billericay managed to extinguish the blaze within about 15 minutes.

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