TWO south Essex men have been charged over an arson attack at a traveller site linked to a double murder investigation.

Emergency services were called to the West Meadows site in Ipswich on Sunday night after two caravans were set alight, properties were damaged and a horse was injured and died at the scene, Suffolk Police said.

One man suffered injuries from a dog bite as they were arrested and was taken to hospital.

Levi Harbour, 19 and Henry Harbour, 20 both of Meadow Lane, Runwell, have been charged with arson with intent to danger life and criminal damage along with three other men and a 14-year-old boy from Essex.

The disturbance came three days after the deaths of Barry Street, 32, and 18-year-old Nathan Oakley from suspected stab wounds on December 8.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested after reports of a stabbing at West Meadows and has been charged with two counts of murder and one count of possession of a bladed article.

Firefighters were called to the traveller site the night before the 17-year-old was due in court, where the five men have all been remanded to appear at Ipswich Magistrates Court today.

The 17-year-old boy charged with two murders, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in two brief court hearings by videolink on Monday.

Two police officers sat in the public gallery for both hearings, the first at Ipswich Magistrates' Court and the second at Ipswich Crown Court hours later.

The youth spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and to say that he understood the proceedings as he sat beside his solicitor.

No pleas were taken and the teenager was remanded in youth detention accommodation to appear before the city's Crown Court again on January 9 2017 for a plea hearing.