PHOTOS: Fire behind Fryatt Hospital, Harwich

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire near to Fryatt Hospital in Harwich on Saturday night.

Control teams received several calls from members of the public who noticed the smoke.

Crews reported on arrival that the fire, which was burning in the grass area between the hospital premises and a residential road (Grange Road), was spreading quickly.

Crews are working hard to get the fire under control.

Update - 1.30am - The fire is now out.

One ward at Fryatt Hospital was evacuated briefly by hospital staff as a precaution, but the fire/smoke did not reach the premises and no-one was affected.

Three sheds and a row of conifers have been destroyed (as pictured).

The cause of this fire is unknown, but we are not treating it as suspicious at this time.

Karen Nicoll, Station Manager, said: "Our crews have done really well here tonight to get this fire under control. When we arrived, it was already spreading very quickly and could so easily have been more serious.

"Thankfully, no-one was harmed. Members of the local community have once again been absolutely fantastic, too - offering our firefighters drinks and support is really kind and is something we genuinely appreciate. As always, we're doing everything we can to keep you safe - thank you for your co-operation and patience."

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Firefighters who attended this incident are on-call firefighters, who 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