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

We were called to a two-storey house in Warley Hill, Great Warley yesterday (Friday 4 August) at 2.49pm.

Crews from Brentwood and Basildon attended and found a washing machine alight. They fully extinguished the fire by 3.22pm.

Watch Manager Mark Elsey said: "This incident highlights the importance of having a working smoke alarm on every floor.

"Thanks to the early warning, the family were able to get out safely and call 999.

Firefighters rescued a man and a dog who were trapped in the water in Mistley Quay on Wednesday night. 

The man had been trying to dock but due to poor weather conditions, the boat was thrown off course. 

On arrival, crews found a boat that was wedged in between a bigger ship and the dock. Due to the tide being low the boat was approximately 12ft down from the dock. 

Crews worked hard to rescue the man and his dog by 21.43pm. 

Firefighters were called to a large field fire in Margaretting this afternoon. 

Crews were called to a field near Main Road, Margaretting at 3:15pm. 

On arrival, crews reported that approximately 10 hectares of stubble was on fire with smoke spreading towards a railway line. 

Firefighters worked with a local farmer to create a fire break and extinguished the fire by 4:04pm. 

Firefighters were called to an outbuilding fire in Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett at 5am. 

On arrival, crews - two crews from Grays, a crew from Orsett and a crew from Basildon - reported that an outbuilding being used as a laundry room was on fire and spreading to an adjoining outbuilding.

Due to a limited water supply, crews requested a further two crews from Basildon and Corringham. Crews also requested an Aerial Ladder Platform from Chelmsford.

Firefighters worked to surround the fire and prevent it spreading to further adjoining buildings. 

Firefighters were called to a fire in a derelict building in Loughton this afternoon. 

On arrival, crews reported that the building was heavily smoke logged with a fire on the ground floor. 

Crews worked with colleagues from the London Fire Brigade to extinguish the fire by 5:10pm. 

An investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire. 

Meet Alfie and Belle, two Jack Russells rescued from under a shed by firefighters from Maldon Fire Station. 

The two dogs had been playing in the garden when they ventured under the shed and could not get back out. 

Firefighters from Maldon Fire Staton used air bag lifting tools to lift the shed up so Alfie and Belle could get back to their worried owners. 

Station Manager Lee Hurst said: “Both dogs were unharmed and happy to have some cuddles with their rescuers afterwards. 

Firefighters were called to a barn fire in Pages Lane, Tolleshunt D’Arcy at 10:28am. 

On arrival, crews reported that a wooden barn with several tractors and cars inside was 100% alight. 

Firefighters set up a water shuttle due to a difficult water supply.

Crews surrounded the fire and worked to extinguish it by 2:45pm. 

Firefighters believe the fire was caused accidentally by an electrical fault.

Firefighters rescued an elderly man last night after a kitchen fire in a flat. 

Crews were called to an automatic fire alarm on Tasman Court, Chelmsford at 2am. 

On arrival, crews reported that smoke alarms were going off in a heavily smoke logged flat. 

Firefighters entered the flat wearing Breathing Apparatus and rescued an elderly man. 

Crews worked to extinguish a fire in the kitchen. Firefighters believe it was caused when the hob was accidentally turned on and items on top caught alight. 

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of having working smoke alarms after neighbours raised the alarm to a house fire in Brightlingsea today. 

Crews were called to a house fire in Windsor Court, Brightlingsea at 3:08pm after neighbours heard smoke alarms going off.

On arrival, crews reported that a semi-detached house was on fire. Firefighters entered the smoke filled house wearing Breathing Apparatus to tackle the fire. 

Crews worked to prevent the fire spreading to next door and extinguished it by 4:18pm.