Arson Arrest Made After Fire Destroys Historic English Pub

A man in his 20s has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire destroyed The World's End pub in Tilbury, Essex. Fire crews responded to the blaze on Wednesday afternoon and managed to bring it under control by early evening.

The arrest follows three other fires that occurred in the vicinity of the pub over the preceding week. On Tuesday, four fire engines tackled a blaze involving containers on Fort Road. Prior to that, a deliberate fire was set using rubbish and grass on Monday, and pallets and general waste burned in another fire the previous Saturday.

The World's End pub is a Grade II-listed building dating back to the late 1600s. Historic England listed the property in 1974, noting its two-storey, timber-framed, weatherboarded structure with a grey slate roof. The pub, known as The World's End since 1667, was previously called the Ferry House and the Lamb. It is reported that diarist Samuel Pepys and author Daniel Defoe may have frequented the establishment.

Pepys visited the Thurrock area multiple times in the 1660s while writing his diary and is known to have visited an alehouse near Tilbury Fort, which would have been in the vicinity of The World's End. The pub, located near Tilbury docks on the River Thames, historically served sailors and travellers.

According to its owner, the pub had been closed for several months following a challenging trading period during the summer. Local councillors have described the loss of the building as a "heartbreaking" event and a significant blow to "incredible heritage." Reform UK councillor Russell Cherry expressed hope for the pub's rebuilding, calling it a "clear and tangible connection to Tilbury's rich naval history."

Vinnie Sullivan, a pub and history tour guide, highlighted The World's End as one of the few remaining historic pubs in Tilbury, noting its "wonderful, decorative interior."

The arrested man has been released on bail until November 18.