A FATHER-OF-SIX living in a flat which has been deemed unsafe following a massive fire, is refusing to leave his home.

Arsonists caused a blaze on the Felmores estate, in Basildon, which meant 90 people had to be evacuated.

All the residents were put up in the Eversley Leisure Centre, in Crest Avenue, Pitsea.

Since then, Basildon Council has found 12 families emergency accommodation.

But David Sugg, 52, of Bockingham Green, said he fears the empty homes could be at risk of more Arson attacks, and burglars looking to loot them.

Speaking from outside his home, he said: “This is my home. There is no security here whatsoever. You can just walk around the boarded area.

“So what’s to stop anyone getting in and setting fire to these homes.?

“That is why I’m here, for security reasons. Somebody’s got to be.”

Mr Sugg, who has lived in his council-managed home for nine years, was evacuated following Friday’s blaze, with his wife and six children, all aged between 11 and 18.

His family are now staying in Hertfordshire with relatives, but Mr Sugg was temporarily put up at the Watermill inn, also in Felmores, until yesterday, when he was told he had to leave.

Mr Sugg was told he could stay on at the inn, after the Echo contacted the council.

But he has decided to stay at his property, with the family’s six cats, despite efforts from police to persuade him to go.

He added: “There is nothing wrong with my house. It’s safe. It just hasn’t got gas, or electric, so I’m surviving on takeaways.

“The council and housing associations have got to pull their finger out and repair people’s homes.

“It’s just another excuse for them not to do any repairs for six months.

“But I’m not having it. At least if I’m here they will have to do something.”

Security fences have been put up around the wrecked homes, destroyed after a fire broke out at 2.30am on Friday, when yobs set fire to an abandoned sofa.

The flats are either owned by Basildon Council and managed by St George’s Community Housing, or owned and managed by Swan Housing.

Security guards,were yesterday at the scene, while detectives probing the arson scene continue their house to house enquiries.