Young girl 'narrowly escapes' death after caravan she was sleeping in set on fire

A 15-year-old boy from Clacton was arrested on suspicion of arson and released on bail

Police are appealing for information and witnesses who may have seen suspicious activity in the area (PA)

A 12-year-old girl “narrowly escaped with her life” after the caravan she was asleep in was set on fire in Essex.

The girl was taken to hospital and is being treated for serious burns after reports of an arson on Humber Avenue, Jaywick on Thursday.

A 15-year-old boy from Clacton was arrested on suspicion of arson and has been released on bail.

Essex Police officers attended the scene shortly after 2am along with Essex County Fire and Rescue and the Ambulance service.

Detective Sergeant Dan Jeffries said: “This was a callous act where a young girl was seriously injured and narrowly escaped with her life.

“We ask that witnesses or anyone who saw suspicious activity in the area around the time of the incident, contacts us, so that we can bring the person responsible for this crime, to justice.”

Speaking to the Daily Gazette, a spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters extinguished the fire by 2:26am and would now investigate the cause of the fire.

The spokesman said: “One person was left in the care of the ambulance service after suffering from burns.

“An investigation into the cause of the fire will now take place.”