Centuries-old Grade II-listed pub where Pepys and Defoe drank burns down in 'heartbreaking' fire as man in his 20s is arrested for arson
By JOE ROSSITER, REPORTER
Published: 05:19 EDT, 25 September 2026 | Updated: 19:39 EDT, 25 September 2026
A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a historic pub was gutted by fire.
Fire crews were called to the Grade II-listed Worlds End pub in Tilbury, Essex, at 4.40pm on Wednesday and brought the blaze under control by 6.30pm.
Diarist Samuel Pepys and author Daniel Defoe are said to have drank at the pub, which lies on the River Thames near Tilbury docks and was previously an inn used by sailors and travellers.
A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of arson and has been released on bail until November 18.
It comes after three other fires broke out near the pub in the last week.
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16159617/pub-fire-man-arrested-arson.html
