ECFRS appeals to public for support amid unprecedented conditions

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has appealed to the public for their support throughout this week amid record-breaking temperatures and dry conditions. 

Control operators have received more than 300 calls since midnight on Tuesday – with firefighters attending more than 130 incidents as of 4pm today, following 157 on Monday. 

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is asking people to only call 999 in a genuine emergency and to help us to help you, by following our safety advice. 

Please: 

• Don’t have bonfires or campfires 
• Don’t have barbecues 
• If you’re a smoker, 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

Area Manager Neil Fenwick said: "At this time we’re working incredibly hard to make sure our resources are there for people who really need our help. 

“With conditions as dry as they are at the moment, the smallest of bonfires or barbecues can quickly spread to an incredibly serious fire – so please don’t take the risk. 

“Like fire and rescue services across the country, we are facing unprecedented challenges – and over the next week, we expect this to continue. So please, help us to help you and follow our safety advice to stay out of harm’s way. 

“You should still call us in the event of an emergency – as always, the sooner we hear about a fire and can respond, the easier it is to get under control.” 

As well as smaller field fires and incidents across the county, firefighters have also been called to notable incidents throughout Tuesday including: 

• Crews from Clacton, Frinton and Weeley are tackling a large field fire in Thorpe. We were called at 2.55pm. 
• We were called to reports of a field fire near the A13 at 2.11pm. Firefighters from Corringham, Billericay, Ongar, Rochford, Tollesbury and South Woodham Ferrers responded. 
• Five crews from Basildon, Corringham, Ongar, Orsett and Rayleigh were called to a field fire in Billericay. 
• Crops and a combine harvester were on fire in Manuden. 
• A field fire around 30 metres by 20 metres in Great Sampford. 
• Six crews were called to a large field fire in Upminster.

For more safety advice, please visit our website. You can read more about our incidents on our Incidents page.