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.

Crews extinguished a fire at a recycling centre in Rochford.

We were called to Brickfields Way yesterday (4 January) at 9.18pm and crews from Leigh, Rayleigh Weir and Southend (two) attended.

Waste in a large warehouse was alight and crews quickly extinguished the fire on the surface. 

They then worked with on-site staff, who used an excavator and a bulldozer, to move and turn over the material to make sure it was fully extinguished. 

Crews left the scene shortly after midnight.

Our Control Room received more than 250 calls between 1pm and 8pm today as Storm Henk brought strong winds and heavy rain to Essex.

Among the incidents we attended were:

Crews extinguished a fire affecting outbuildings in South Woodham Ferrers.

We were called to reports of bushes on fire in Leeward Road today at 12.12am and crews from Basildon, Rayleigh Weir and Wickford attended.

When firefighters arrived they found that the fire had spread to two outbuildings; a shed measuring approximately 5 metres by 5 metres and a garage measuring approximately 5 metres by 10 metres.

Crews extinguished the fire by 1.29am and remained at the scene until 3.10am to dampen down and check for hotspots.