A WOMAN has been arrested after a fire in a house on Pitsea’s Felmores Estate.

The 28-year-old woman, was taken away by police after the blaze at a home in Winstree at about 11.50pm on Wednesday.

Neighbours Christine Keeble, 30, and Jamie Sharp, 32, who live two doors away, were getting ready for bed when they heard a commotion outside.

Ms Keeble said: “There was a lot of banging and what sounded like men’s voices coming from the garden.

“I looked out of my window, saw smoke coming out of the child’s bedroom of a house.”

Mr Sharp ran outside, where he met neighbour, Dan Taylor. Mr Sharp then kicked down the front door of the burning house, while Mr Taylor turned off the electricity and gas and got his neighbours outside.

Mr Sharp added: “I kicked in the door and all this really thick black smoke came out.

“I couldn’t get inside, I shouted into the house, but nobody replied. Luckily there was nobody inside.”

Neighbours said there had been a fire at the same property about 12 months ago.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service and police are still working to establish the cause of the fire.

Last night, the 28-year-old woman was being questioned by police in connection with the incident.