Field fire

UPDATED 3.30PM

Crews have extinguished a field fire in Boreham.

Station Manager Nick Singleton said: "I'd like to praise our firefighters, particularly crews from Chelmsford and Witham who were first to arrive and stopped the fire from spreading.

"Due to the wind direction, the fire was getting very close to some houses but crews surrounded the fire quickly.

"I'd also like to thank residents who gave our crews the space they needed to get on with their job, the farmer who helped us by creating fire breaks and Essex Police who closed the A12 for a short time."

Although the fire is out, a crew using one of our off-road vehicles will remain at the scene this afternoon to make sure it does not reignite.

It is believed the cause was a bonfire accidentally burning out of control.

Nick said: "Please be especially careful if you choose to have a bonfire when it is dry and windy. As this incident shows, they can quickly get out of control."

We’re currently at the scene of a large field near Main Road, Boreham.

If you live nearby, please keep your windows and doors closed as there is lots of smoke coming from the scene.

Six crews, from Chelmsford, Witham, Rayleigh Weir, Maldon, Brentwood and Basildon, along with two off-road vehicles from Stansted and Burnham, are working to extinguish the fire. It is affecting approximately 25 acres of stubble.

Firefighters have been working to prevent the fire spreading to nearby properties. Crews are currently working to extinguish the fire.