Firefighters were called to reports of a house fire in Little Waltham, Chelmsford on Sunday (19 January) at 7pm.

When firefighters arrived they reported the building, measuring approx. 15m x 4m, was completely on fire.

All occupants were safely out of the property when firefighters arrived.

Fire crews reported a number of tanks and gas bottles were involved in the fire, as well as a large tree. There was also a number of nearby outbuildings which needed to be protected.  Additional fire crews were requested to help tackle the blaze.

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a large recycling centre in Basildon this afternoon.

When fire crews arrived, they reported a large pile of recycling waste was alight inside the building. Firefighters worked with on-site staff to develop a plan to safely remove the waste and extinguish it effectively.

UPDATE 4PM

The fire was fully extinguished shortly before 3pm.

An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause.

Crews are tackling a warehouse fire on the Essex/Hertfordshire border.

Firefighters were called to a house in Benfleet this afternoon after a passer-by noticed smoke coming from a window.

On arrival, crews found a significant fire on the ground floor of the property. The entire house was filled with smoke, which had also started spreading to the neighbouring home.

Firefighters acted quickly to bring the fire under control and ventilate both properties, preventing further damage.

Station Manager Russ Freeman said:

Firefighters were called to a ground floor maisonette in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 14 January) after neighbours heard a smoke alarm going off.

On arrival firefighters reported a fire in a bedroom.

Sadly a woman died at the scene.

Following a fire investigation the cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.

Crews are urging people to remove mirrors, glass and crystal objects from window sills after the second time this week sunlight reflecting off these objects has caused a fire. 

Firefighters from Orsett and Grays were called to Brennan Road, Tilbury this afternoon. 

A resident heard their smoke alarms sounding and discovered a fire in their bedroom. 

When firefighters entered the property, they found the curtains on fire in the bedroom which had been caused by sunlight reflecting off a decorative glass globe on the window sill.

Crews have issued safety advice after a fire was caused by sunlight reflecting off a magnifying glass.

Firefighters from Newport were called to Brick Kiln Lane, Rickling Green this afternoon. 

The occupants had returned home and heard their smoke alarm sounding and called 999 immediately. 

When crews entered the property, they found the curtains on fire in the bedroom which had been caused by sunlight reflecting off a magnifying glass on the bedside table.