Warehouse fire in Southend

Update 17 August 4.30pm 

Firefighters have been working to cut into the warehouse and pull out items stored inside. One crew will remain overnight to monitor the scene and officers will be revisiting the building again tomorrow. 

There is much less smoke in the area, it is localised to the warehouse. 


Update 17 August 8am

Crews have remained at the incident overnight, working to cut ventilation holes into the warehouse. 

Crews extinguish lorry fire on M25

Crews have extinguished a lorry fire on the M25.

We were called to the anticlockwise carriageway, between junctions 29 and 30, today at 12.25pm.

Crews from Grays (two), Basildon and Brentwood attended, along with three crews from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and one from London Fire Brigade.

An articulated lorry and its load of tyres was completely alight when crews arrived. The driver had got out safely.

The anticlockwise carriageway was closed for two-and-a-half-hours. One lane reopened shortly before 3pm.

Wildfires in Essex

We've had a busy day across Essex, responding to two large wildfires, road traffic collisions, dozens of smaller outdoor fires and animal rescues.

Thanks to our well-prepared crews and Control team, every incident was managed swiftly and professionally, even during peaks with 11 incidents ongoing at once.

Crews extinguish wildfire in Braintree

Firefighters have spent the afternoon extinguishing a wildfire near Cressing, Braintree. 

On arrival, crews requested additional support from Halstead's water bowser and an off-road vehicle from Burnham. 

Using what3words - rephrase.loosens.noon - firefighters were able to find the location.

The fire was covering approximately five hectares of stubble, cornfield and hedgerow. 

Garden outbuilding on fire

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a garden.

On arrival, crews found a wooden outbuilding (a shed) fully alight and starting to affect three nearby properties.

Firefighters worked quickly and safely to remove BBQ gas canisters from the fire and navigate around solar panels on the property. Thanks to their swift actions, the fire was prevented from spreading further.

Fire affecting three homes

Firefighters were called to a terraced house fire in East Hanningfield, near Chelmsford, this afternoon (Friday 8 August).

When the first crews arrived, they found the fire well developed and spreading rapidly to two adjoining homes.

Incident Commander Ben Stapleton said:

Field Fire

Four crews were called to a field fire in Bicknacre at 12:55pm. 

On arrival, crews reported a field fire was affecting approximately four acres of grassland and hedges. 

Crews worked to surround the fire and prevent it spreading to houses, extinguishing it by 1:50pm. 

Crews rescue child locked in car

Firefighters from Harlow rescued Isabella who accidentally managed to lock herself in the car, with the keys still in it. 

Crews were called to Cannons Lane, Bishops Stortford at 5.04pm on Tuesday 5 August. 

Firefighters used tools to get inside the car and rescue Isabella by 5.31pm.

Always keep car keys out of reach of little hands. It only takes a second for them to press a button and get stuck inside.