Five flats have been left with smoke damage following a fire outside. 

Crews were called to Witchards, Basildon, after reports that a fire was rapidly spreading and smoke was entering a building.

On arrival firefighters reported that three people, including a young child, had been rescued by ladder by a member of the public and four still needed assistance with exiting their homes. 

Firefighters quickly worked to lead the other trapped residents to safety while other firefighters began to tackle the fire outside. 

Crews were called to a first floor flat after reports of a fire in the kitchen. 

On arrival firefighters reported an air fryer had caught alight and there was a small fire in the kitchen. 

Crews quickly extinguished the fire and ventilated the room. 

Watch Manager Jon Allen, Harlow Fire Station, said:

"When the resident realised the air fryer had caught alight he did the right thing by unplugging it and then getting out, staying out and calling 999.

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of having working smoke alarms at home after a neighbour called us to a kitchen fire in Witham today.

Crews were called to Teak Walk, Witham at 2:11pm after a neighbour heard smoke alarms going off and could see smoke. The neighbour acted quickly to call us.

On arrival, crews reported that the kitchen of a house was heavily smoke logged.

Crews extinguished the fire and believe it was caused by an electrical fault in a plug socket.

Firefighters have issued safety advice about e-bike converter kits after a bike caught fire this afternoon in Colchester. 

A man was riding on Woden Avenue in Stanway through when he noticed smoke coming from his bike. 

He quickly pulled over and got off his bike as it caught fire. Although crews arrived quickly in that time one of the battery cells had already exploded and launched itself over 20 metres away.