Smoke alarm alerts residents to tumble dryer fire

Firefighters were called to an incident in Weybourne Close, Southend on Sea at 6:43pm last night. 

When crews arrived, they found a fire in the utility room which had been caused by an overheated tumble dryer. 

Crew Manager Ricky Jones said: “It’s important to make sure you take extra care when using tumble dryers. In this case the residents had left the room without proper ventilation causing it to overheat and set alight to items left on top of the dryer. 

Lightning strike causes house fire

Crews were called to a semi-detached house after reports that lightning had struck a house. 

On arrival firefighters reported that approximately 40% of the roof was on fire.

Watch Manager Keith Ray, Loughton Fire Station, said:

"The residents said the sound was unbelievable and similar to what they thought a bomb would sound like. They immediately went to find out what was going on and realised their roof was on fire.

"Our crews worked really quickly to extinguish the fire and did a great job of stopping it spreading and limiting the damage."

Bonfire embers destroy yard

Firefighters are giving bonfire safety advice after embers from a bonfire destroyed a yard in Wethersfield overnight.

Crews were called to Beazley End, Wethersfield at 6:36am when the landowner spotted the fire. On arrival, crews reported that a yard was on fire with a lorry trailer, motorbike and skip alight.

Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and believe it was caused by embers from a bonfire held the night before.

Fire at commercial property

Crews were called to a commercial building in Harlow after reports of a fire in a building. 

Watch Manager Steve Allan, Harlow Fire Station, said:

"When we arrived we were faced with smoke coming from both the windows and roof. Inside, the building was 100% smoke logged and there was a fire on both the first and second floors. 

"There were multiple trip hazards and items to manoeuvre around inside the building, but our firefighters did a fantastic job of working together to surround and extinguish the fire."

Man rescued after falling from roof

Firefighters from Chelmsford were called to rescue a man who had fallen from a roof this morning. 

On arrival, crews reported that the man had fallen from a roof while inspecting the bell tower. 

Station Manager Richard Green said: “Crews worked closely with the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) to safely rescue the man while monitoring his condition. 

“As he had fallen in between two slopes on the roof, we used our Aerial Ladder Platform to rescue him and used stretchers to bring him down to safety.” 

Lithium batteries cause building fire

Update 4pm

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


Update 1pm

The fire is now completely under control and firefighters will remain on scene continuing to dampen down the area. 


Crews were called to a commercial warehouse-style building in the early hours of this morning. 

On arrival firefighters reported that the building, which measures around 100m x 50m, was completely smoke logged and the fire had started in an area storing used lithium batteries.