An arson attack on the play area in Dilkes Park has left £30,000 worth of damage, the council said today.

Flames of up to 20 feet high melted down equipment and tarmac after the fire is understood to have started around 6am on Wednesday August 24.

Shocked residents said the play area "looked like Beirut after it had been hit by a bomb".

One Ockendon mother said the slide and see-saw area now looked like a shell and a crater after the attack.

Essex Fire confirmed today they had recorded the cause of the fire as arson.

They said: "We were called out at 6.15am and had extinguished the fire using a hose reel jet by 6.37am. The cause of the fire was recorded as deliberate."

One Grays firecrew, police and Thurrock Council officers attended the scene.

Mum of three Kim Cathro, 34, of Carnac Green, said her little ones, aged 6, 7 and 9 were "devastated" at seeing the damage this morning.

She said: "It looks like Beirut, like someone has thrown a bomb. The tarmac has all lifted up where it's melted. What about heat contact and if a dog or a little kid runs over?

"My seven year old daughter saw it and said that's not right. They're devastated.

"You can't even say it's an accident, something like that would have been started. This was a mindless decision by someone."

Council leader Rob Gledhill said he was "devastated" at what appeared to be an act of "selfish vandalism," and the act had caused £30,000 worth of damage to the play area.

Mr Gledhill said “Playground equipment doesn’t just spontaneously combust – someone or a group of people is responsible.

"I and the community are devastated that £30,000 worth of play equipment has been destroyed by what appears to be an act of selfish vandalism.

“The police are involved and I hope anyone with information comes forward – this isn’t just high jinks, but a serious matter and a crime against the whole community.

"Right now our priority is to ensure people can enjoy the wider park while work continues in the coming days to remove the affected equipment.”

A spokesman for Essex Police said they were 'investigating' and have appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forwards.

He said: "We were informed of a playground fire at Dilkes play park in South Ockendon this morning at 6:45am. Investigations are on-going."

Ms Cathro added: "There's some people that blame the kids, but what 15 year old gets up that early in the morning? I don't think it's kids that did it. I think it's adults.

"The real tragedy is, there's no baby area for the little kids to play in now. With Dilkes Park and Grays Beach out, where are parents going to go?"

Essex Police are appealing for anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious to call 101 and speak to PC Neil Brand from Thurrock Community Policing Team.