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).

Firefighters were called to Gainsborough Avenue, Tilbury this morning after a tumble dryer set alight and spread to five outbuildings. 

Station Manager Jason Gould said: “When crews arrived they found a well developed fire which had spread to five outbuildings. This was also starting to spread to a nearby house but the quick actions of crews stopped it from spreading further. 

“Unfortunately the outbuildings have been severely fire damaged.” 

A fire investigation has found that the cause was an electrical fault in the tumble dyer. 

Update 7am (Monday 30 September) 

Firefighters remained at the scene overnight and are continuing to let the haystack burn under control. One crew is in attendance.

Firefighters from Rochford, Southend (two) and Rayleigh Weir are currently tackling a large haystack fire in Rochford. 

Crews were called to Lambourne Hall Road at 8.14pm. 

Station Manager Rick Williams said: "Crews are currently working to protect the surrounding area, it is approximately 180 tonnes of hay bales alight.