Firefighters were called to a fire in a restaurant in Colchester last night (Friday 18 October).

Four crews were called to Trinity Street, Colchester at 9:16pm to reports of a kitchen fire. 

All restaurant staff and customers had evacuated before our arrival and crews praised them for their quick actions.

The fire started when oil in a deep fat fryer caught alight in the kitchen, 

Crews worked quickly to get the fire under control and were able to prevent it spreading further throughout the restaurant.

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of having working smoke alarms at home after a family was alerted to a kitchen fire in Rayleigh yesterday. 

Crews from Rayleigh and Leigh were called to Weir Gardens, Rayleigh at 6:32pm yesterday after the family heard smoke alarms going off and quickly left the house while calling us.

On arrival, crews reported there was a pan on fire in the kitchen and worked to extinguish the fire. 

Fire crews were called to a house in Rochford this morning after a woman discovered a fire in her bedroom.

The homeowner heard a loud bang upstairs and, after noticing smoke coming from a window, immediately called 999.

Firefighters arrived quickly and found the first floor of the house heavily smoke-logged.

Watch Manager Gary Shinn from Hawkwell Fire Station said:

“We believe the fire was caused when heat from the log burner’s flue ignited the floor joists, which then spread to a wardrobe and other nearby materials.

Crews were called to a house in Waltham Abbey after a neighbour heard the smoke alarm and called 999. 

On arrival firefighters reported smoke was coming from the kitchen window and a woman was just inside the door. Firefighters quickly led the woman to safety and entered the property. 

Crews tackled the fire, which has started after a toaster caught fire, and then cleared the property of smoke. 

Temporary Crew Manager Dan Pond said:

Firefighters were called to a fire in a fish and chip shop in Ingatestone last night (Friday 4 October).