Bonfire out of control

Firefighters have given safety advice after two people suffered smoke inhalation when a bonfire spread out of control.

A crew from Clacton was called to Writtle Close in Clacton to a bonfire that had spread out of control and the two occupants had suffered smoke inhalation.

Crews extinguished the fire by 2:17pm.

Crew Manager Andy Anderson from Clacton Fire Station said: “The occupants had done the right thing by having the hose laid out while keeping an eye on the bonfire but when it got out of control, they were too close while putting it out.

Thatched cottage fire

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a home in Great Horkesley in the early hours of Saturday morning.

On arrival, crews confirmed that around 25% of the property's thatched roof, which measures around 25 metres by 15 metres, was alight.

Firefighters immediately began fighting the fire from both within and outside the building, and divided the incident into sectors to allow them to control the fire more quickly.

Safety cordon in place after gas leak

Firefighters were called to reports of a gas leak near the A127 on Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters worked alongside the gas board to make the area safe. Brook Road remained closed for some time and a safety cordon around the area affected was put in place. A small number of properties close to the site were evacuated as a precaution.

People who live nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

By 6pm, firefighters had left the scene in the hands of the gas board after the gas leak was capped.

Industrial building fire

Crews extinguished a fire in an industrial building in Ongar.

Firefighters from Brentwood, Harlow and Epping attended Stony Lane today at 11.21am.

On arrival, the building, which is used to repair lawnmowers and measured approximately 20 metres by 20 metres, was completely alight.

Station Manager Richie Green said: "Crews worked really hard to stop the fire from spreading and managed to contain it to the industrial unit affected.

Fatal house fire

Firefighters were called to a house fire in Weaverhead Close, Thaxted this morning.

On arrival, crews reported that there was a fire on the ground floor of a terraced house that had spread to the first floor.

Crews requested assistance from three crews from Witham, Stansted and Harlow fire stations as well as an Aerial Ladder Platform from Chelmsford Fire Station.

PHOTOS: Calf rescued from river

Firefighters rescued a curious calf from the River Stort this afternoon.

A member of the public used what3words to help crews locate the calf who was trapped in knee height water.

Crews worked together to lift the calf out of the water and onto the riverbank by 2pm.

The calf was left in the care of the farmer and led back to its field with the other calves.

Have you downloaded what3words?

what3words is a free smartphone app that helps you easily and accurately describe your location.

Chimney fire

Firefighters were called to a chimney fire in Ashdon last night when the residents heard their smoke alarms going off.

On arrival, crews reported that there was a fire within a chimney of a house.

Firefighters used chimney rods to extinguish the fire by 6:43pm.

Most chimney fires are preventable. Regular inspection and cleaning of chimney flues will help prevent fires within chimneys. Keep your family and home safe by following our chimney safety advice:

Carbon monoxide alarm alerts family to fire in middle of the night

A Chelmsford family has had a lucky escape after a carbon monoxide alarm alerted them to a fire that had potentially been smouldering for days. 

The family called 999 after their utility room's carbon monoxide alarm went off in the early hours of Saturday morning. Once awake the family went into the utility room and noticed white wispy smoke around the flume leading to the boiler.