HUNDREDS of bags of donated clothing were destroyed by suspected arsonists who targeted the homeless charity Harp.

The blaze started around 7am yesterday in a lean-to shelter beside the charity in Valkyrie Road, Westcliff.

As well as the clothing donated to the charity, a renovated smoking shelter, a TV room, fencing and the outside of a neighbouring house were damaged.

The centre was closed yesterday and the people who stay there helped out with the clean-up.

Gill Garwood, the charity’s chief executive, said: “We’re devastated by this.

“It’s completely destroyed our activities area where we sort the clothes and do many other things to help a lot of people here get back into work.”

Staff at the day shelter were unable to open yesterday, forcing homeless people onto the streets.

But many raced over from the night shelter in York Road to help clear up when they heard about the fire. Unable to use the shelter, Denise Nicholls faced a day on the wet streets of the town.

She said: “It’s a disaster, mindless violence. They do so much for you here.”

Steve Crow was another of the half dozen from the night shelter who helped out.

He said: “It’s destroyed what kind people have donated. I rushed over here to help because they helped me when I needed it.”

Station officer Barry May, from Southend, said: “If this had started a few hours earlier the fire could’ve spread to the main building and destroyed it. However, the crews did well to have it under control within the hour, but I can confirm the fire is under investigation.”

Harp staff hope yo reopen the centre today. The charity is mounting a campaign to get both its shelters under one roof and increase the number of beds from 14 to 30. Bosses want to demolish their base in Valkyrie Road and rebuild a new combined centre for both the day and night shelters.