RESIDENTS are demanding action after a motorbike was deliberately set alight by vandals.

A group of teenagers are believed to be behind the blaze on Monday morning at Basildon and Pitsea Cricket Club, in Timberlog Close, Basildon.

Residents say it is just the latest in a series of incidents at the park, including groups of youngsters camping on the ground and drinking.

One resident, who asked not to be identified, came across the fire and called the fire service.

He was shocked that the teens brazenly stayed to watch their handiwork as the blaze completely destroyed the fire - almost spreading to nearby buildings.

The witness said: “There were six hoodies in the park at about 6.45am.

“They had been there all night drinking.

“There was a massive fire right next door to a building which I think is used by the model railway club.

“I phoned the fire brigade and the police as the children were just sitting there watching it.

“I don’t know if the petrol tank still had petrol in it but if that had gone up it could have taken my house with it.”

The motorbike was destroyed in the fire and it has also left scorch marks on the cricket pitch.

Luckily the fire didn’t spread to the nearby building, but the man said this was only due to the quick response of the fire service.

There was no damage done to any buildings and no-one was injured in the fire.

He added that there were often problems at the park.

He said: “I live nearby so I see everything that goes on in there.

“There are often groups of teenagers in there smoking and drinking.

“They used to go into Mopsies Park, opposite the cricket club, but they lock that up now.

“However, they can just climb over the fence to get onto the cricket ground.

“They are usually teenagers, about 16 or 17 years old.

“Three or four weeks ago they were camping there over night.

“They had those pop up tents.

“At night it is pitch black over there so they could get up to anything.

“It is an accident waiting to happen.”

No-one from Basildon and Pitsea Cricket Club was available for comment.

A spokesman from the fire service confirmed they had been called to attend the blaze at 7.20am.

The spokesman added: “We were called to a motorbike on fire.

“We sent one crew from Basildon and the fire was extinguished by 7.35am.

“The cause has been recorded as deliberate.”

In July a huge hunting knife - sometimes known as a zombie knife - was found in bushes close to Mopsies Park.

A concerned member of the public handed it in to police who destroyed it.