Crews tackle scrubland fire

Crews spent more than three hours tackling fires in scrubland on Canvey Island this evening.

We were called to reports of smoke in the area of Northwick Road today at 5.06pm. Firefighters found trees, bushes, hedgerows and grassland covering about one acre alight. 

Crews from Corringham, Rayleigh Weir, Shoeburyness and Hawkwell attended. Due to the remote location, Corringham's water bowser, which provides high volumes of water, and two off road vehicles were sent to assist.

Firefighters used beaters, backpack sprayers and hoses to extinguish the fire by 6.11pm.

However, as they were checking for hotspots, a second fire took hold nearby. Both fires were fully extinguished by 8.13pm.

Two crews from Canvey returned to Northwick Road last night at 11.05pm after reports of more grass fires covering six acres.

They extinguished the fire by 11.39pm.

The cause has been recorded as deliberate.

Please help to keep everyone safe in this hot weather.

• Don’t have bonfires or campfires, barbecues 
• Dispose of cigarettes responsibly – make sure they’re properly out and not near to dry ground 
• Don’t jump into open water – if you don’t know how deep it is or what’s in it, it’s not worth the risk. If you get into trouble, remember to float to live and try to alert others

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Crews from Corringham, Hawkwell and Shoeburyness are on-call firefighters - they live or work within 5 minutes of the station and are paid to protect their community. 

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too. 

Find out more about the role and how to apply at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call