Essex County Fire and Rescue Service's crews were called to support Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service at an incident involving a thatched property.

Suffolk initially had five fire engines on scene, with Colchester’s crew from Essex attending to provide support. Essex crews later took over from Suffolk colleagues to continue managing the incident.

Crews were called to a fire in an outbuilding in Clacton-on-Sea, which had quickly spread to a nearby fence and electrical substation.

Firefighters tackled the fire quickly and prevented it from spreading further, but the substation sustained some damage.

The affected substation supplies power to a nearby holiday park, and the damage has resulted in a temporary loss of power to the site.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental.

Station Manager Paul Nash said:

Firefighters were called to a three-storey town house in Colchester after a neighbour heard a smoke alarm sounding and dialled 999.

As it was initially unclear whether anyone was inside, firefighters treated the incident as a potential rescue.

On arrival, crews quickly carried out a thorough search of the house and confirmed it was empty.

The fire, located in a third-floor bedroom, was swiftly surrounded and extinguished by crews. The third floor has sustained both fire and smoke damage.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as deliberate.

Update 5.15pm

Group Manager Dan Wastell said:

"Firefighters have gained access to the area and have done a great job in surrounding the fire, which is now under control. Crews are tackling the fire from the ground and we are also using a drone to monitor the area from above.

"We expect to remain on scene for another hour or so to make sure the fire is fully extinguished and the area is safe."

Firefighters have been called to a fire in the roof of a four storey residential block of flats in Westcliff on Sea.

Update 1:25pm - Firefighters at the scene reported that the fire is affecting the whole of the roof. Crews have surrounded the building and are working to tackle the fire. If you live nearby, please close your doors and windows due to the smoke.

Firefighters were called to a fire in an industrial building in Harlow.

When fire crews arrived they confirmed that there was a fire affecting the roof space of the building.

Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform (ALP) to pour water onto the fire from above. Crews also prioritised protecting the adjoining units to stop the fire spreading.

An investigation will be carried out to find the cause of the fire.

Firefighters from Grays, Orsett and Corringham were called to a fire in the garden which had spread to a house in Tilbury. 

Station Manager Adam Barber said: "When crews arrived, the fire had started spreading from the garden to the roof of the semi-detached property." 

Firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire and stopped it spreading to the neighbouring property.

Unfortunately, the whole house has been damaged by the fire, and will is now not habitable.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.