PHOTOS: Outbuilding fire

On-call firefighters from Wethersfield, Braintree and Witham were called to an outbuilding fire in Bardfield earlier today. 

On arrival, crews reported that the roof of an outbuilding - measuring approximately 10 metres by 8 metres - was on fire. 

Crews worked together to shuttle water as the water pressure in the area was low and extinguished the fire by 11:22am. 

Firefighters remained on scene to strip the roof back to ensure all hotspots were cooled. 

The cause of the fire was accidental due to an electrical fault.

Watch Manager Darren Hockley from Wethersfield Fire Station said: “Crews worked quickly in hot conditions to bring this fire under control.

“I’d like to highlight the importance of having working smoke alarms as the residents had smoke alarms in this outbuilding which did go off. The residents had already spotted the smoke before the smoke alarms went off and were able to get out of the building safely. Had they not have spotted the smoke themselves, the smoke alarms would have alerted them quickly."

Have you got working smoke alarms?

We want every home in Essex to be provided with the excellent protection that smoke alarms offer. Smoke alarms can alert you or a neighbour/passerby to a fire and give you a chance to escape your home safely.

If you or someone you know hasn't got working smoke alarms at home, get in touch with our Home Fire Safety team. Call 0300 303 0088 or visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Firefighters who attended this incident are on-call firefighters who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station.

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be paid to protect your community as an on-call firefighter. Find out more at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call