Firefighters are highlighting the importance of keeping your hob clear when you’ve finished cooking after a hob fire destroyed a kitchen in Holland-on-Sea this morning.

Crews were called to a flat fire in Kings Avenue, Holland-on-Sea at 8:56am.

On arrival, crews reported that a ground floor flat was heavily smoke logged with a fire in the kitchen.

Crews extinguished the fire and ventilated the property by 9:30am.

Firefighters believe the hob was accidentally switched on and caught fire to items on top and nearby.

Firefighters were called to a house fire in Mountdale Gardens, Leigh during the early hours of this morning.

On arrival, crews reported that there was a fire in the ground floor of a mid-terraced house.

After evacuating neighbours from either side of the property, firefighters worked to stop the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties. 

The fire was extinguished by 4am

An investigation will be held to determine the cause of the fire.

Sadly, a woman died at the scene.

An Essex Police statement reads:

Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision on the A120, Ardleigh east bound this afternoon.

On arrival, three crews reported that a lorry had jack knifed and there was damage to the fuel tank which contained around 450 litres of diesel.

Crews worked to contain the fuel and prevent it from spilling onto the road.

Firefighters made the scene safe and remained on scene while the lorry was recovered by 5:40pm.

Firefighters rescued a cat from a smoke filled building today after a fire in an electric cupboard in Braintree.

Crews were called to a block of flats in St James Road, Braintree at 1:45pm.

On arrival, crews reported that there was a fire in an electrical cupboard.

Firefighters worked to evacuate residents - including a cat who was safely escorted out of the building - while crews extinguished the fire.

The fire was extinguished by 2:30pm.

Firefighters were called to a house fire in Vange in the early hours of this morning.

On arrival, crews reported that a house was heavily smoke logged after a fire in a bathroom.

Firefighters believe the fire was caused by an electrical fault in the bathroom.

Firefighters worked to ventilate the property but due to the smoke damage, the residents have been rendered homeless.

Dovercourt firefighters rescued a dog and a lizard during a flat fire in Harwich yesterday.

Firefighters were called to a flat fire in High Street, Harwich yesterday afternoon at 3pm.

On arrival, crews reported that a flat above a row of businesses was 100% smoke logged and the smoke alarms were going off.

Firefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus entered the property and found the hob was on fire.

Crews rescued a dog and a lizard from the flat.

The dog, a Lurcher, was given oxygen therapy by firefighters and left in the care of a vet.

UPDATE 1.10pm

Crews freed the driver shortly before midday and left him in the care of the Ambulance Service.

Our Control team has been liaising with environmental authorities with regards to a fuel leak, which firefighters managed to contain. 

Firefighters have now left the scene with Essex Police and National Highways. Police have urged motorists to avoid area because the road will remain closed for some time.