A number of Brentwood flats have been left without power following a fire in an electrical cupboard. 

Crews were called to Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood, this morning after reports of smoke filling a communal hallway in a three-story block of flats. 

On arrival firefighters reported the fire was in a ground-floor cupboard that housed electrics. 

Firefighters evacuated the ground floor of the building and asked the first and second floor residents to stay put, as per the building's stay put policy. 

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of working smoke alarms after a house fire in Colchester last night.

Crews were called to Magdalen Street, Colchester at 10:45pm after the resident woke up to the smell of smoke and her smoke alarms going off. 

The resident was able to escape the house with her two children. 

On arrival, crews entered the property and extinguished a fire in a storage cupboard.

Crews also rescued a cat and a dog. Firefighters gave the dog oxygen therapy and it was left in the care of a vet.

A family had a lucky escape after a fire started in their home early this morning. 

The resident had got up early to go to work and noticed water dripping from the downstairs ceiling. On further investigation she realised the upstairs was beginning to fill with smoke and there was a fire in an airing cupboard on the landing. 

After calling 999 firefighters were initially delayed in attending the incident due to inconsiderate parking.

Watch Manager Stephen Allen, Harlow Fire Station, said:

Firefighters were called to rescue three people trapped in their car in floodwater in Abridge Road, Theydon Bois at 4:39pm.

Specially trained water rescue firefighters worked to rescue three people.

Station Manager John Warmann said: “Lots of roads across Essex are still flooded. Please find another route if a road or ford you come across is flooded. 

Firefighters were called to rescue two people trapped in their car in floodwater in Mowden Hall Lane at 3:07pm.

Specially trained water rescue firefighters worked to rescue two people.

Station Manager John Warmann said: “Lots of roads across Essex are still flooded. Please find another route if a road or ford you come across is flooded. 

Firefighters have given smoking safety advice after a discarded cigarette caused a bedroom fire in Great Chesterford last night.

Crews were called to a bungalow fire in Stanley Road at 10:24 when residents heard their smoke alarms going off.

On arrival, crews reported a bedroom in a bungalow was heavily smoke logged. 

Firefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus entered the bungalow to extinguish the fire and ventilate the property.

Crews believe the fire was caused by a discarded cigarette that caught bedding alight. 

Our Control Room received more than 100 calls throughout the day today after heavy rain caused widespread flooding across Essex.

Among the incidents we attended were:

Firefighters rescued Dotty, a Springer Spaniel, yesterday after she fell off the edge of a cliff in Walton while out walking.

Crews were called at 3:31pm on Thursday 4 January to reports that Dotty had fallen from the edge of the cliff and was unable to get back up due to her injuries. 

Specially trained firefighters from our Urban Search and Rescue team were sent to the scene to help rescue Dotty using ropes. 

Two USAR technicians used ropes to lower themselves to Dotty and rescue her by 4:45pm. 

She was left in the care of a vet. 

Firefighters have issued safety advice after a wax melt candle ignited in a family home yesterday. 

The family had bought home-made wax melts online which caught fire once the wax started to heat up. They were alerted by their smoke alarm and were able to get outside safely and call 999. 

The fire was out when the crews arrived. They made sure it was fully extinguished and issued safety advice. 

Station Manager Andre Turner said: “This incident highlights the importance of having a working smoke alarm on every floor.