A family were alerted to a fire in their kitchen thanks to a smoke alarm.

We were called to a bungalow in Arne Court, Laindon yesterday (Monday 22 April) at 9pm and crews from Basildon and Rayleigh Weir attended.

An air fryer had caught alight in the kitchen.

Crew Manager Philippe Pitts-Webster said: "A neighbour had tried to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher but thick black smoke was still coming out of the front door.

"Crews extinguished the fire and cleared the smoke.

Update Tuesday 23 April 

The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental. 

Firefighters from Basildon, Chelmsford (two) and Orsett have extinguished a fire at a scrap yard near Mores Lane, Brentwood. 

Crew Manager Jason Gould said: "Crews have done a great job to surround the fire and stop it from spreading further. There were four vehicles alight including cylinders and a small outbuilding." 

An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out later today.

Firefighters were called to the scene of an industrial unit fire in Gardiners Lane South, Basildon, this afternoon. 

Crews were called at 1:36pm to reports of a fire in an industrial unit. 

At its height, eight fire appliances, including a Aerial Ladder Platform, were on scene, with firefighters extinguishing the fire in sections. Firefighters worked to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring units.

Firefighters are currently at the scene of a large haystack on fire in Butterfield Chase, Latchingdon. 

If you are in the area, please keep all your windows and doors closed as there is smoke coming from the fire. 

Watch Manager Gary Bannister said: "We are carrying out a controlled burn on the haystack as this is the safest and most effective way to deal with this kind of incident. Crews will be handing the scene over to the owner but will be returning throughout the day to monitor the fire. 

A house in Southend has been left with significant fire and smoke damage after a charger caught alight. 

Crews were called to the terraced property in Prittlewell Square after a passer-by noticed flames inside the house. 

When firefighters arrived they were faced with a well developed fire in the kitchen and reported that the three-storey house was heavily smoke logged. The homeowner was out at the time. 

Watch Manager Mark Petty-Mayor, Southend Fire Station, said:

UPDATE 2.50PM

The fire is now out and crews will remain at the scene for some time to monitor hotspots. 

27 residents have been safely evacuated and are being looked after by our blue light partners and care home staff. 

Group Manager Danny Partridge said: "Crews have worked extremely hard to extinguish the fire, and to stop it from spreading further. Unfortunately, parts of care home have suffered from smoke damage.