The incidents occurred in the early hours on Wellesley Road and Old Road, both close to properties. The second fire is believed to be deliberate, while the Old Road incident was described as "possibly deliberate" and remains under investigation. Damager - the smoke-damaged house, in Old Road (Image: Newsquest)Chelle Cottrell, of Clacton, said: "The firemen must be absolutely shattered with staff shortages and part-time fire stations. "If you know who is deliberately setting fires, please don't stay silent. Anyone with information or footage is urged to come forward, quoting crime reference number 42/119312/26 for the Wellesley Road incident, and 42/119308/26 for Old Road.