Firefighters are highlighting the importance of having working smoke alarms after a man was rescued from a flat fire in Basildon last night when neighbours heard his smoke alarms going off.

Crews were called to a flat fire in High Barrets, Basildon at 11:25pm.

On arrival, crews reported that a ground floor flat was heavily smoke logged.

Firefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus entered the flat and rescued a man. He was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

The fire was extinguished by 12:40am. The cause of the fire was accidental.

Firefighters worked with coastguard colleagues to rescue a man stuck in the mud near North Fambridge earlier today.

Crews were called at 5:34pm to reports that a man was stuck up to his waist in the mud after slipping into the River Crouch from the embankment.

Using what3words to locate the man, firefighters worked with the coastguard to bring him to safety by 6:47pm.

Firefighters rescued a man from a roof fire in Basildon earlier today.

Crews were called to a roof fire in Great Gregorie in Basildon this morning.

A man carrying out repair work on the roof had suffered burns and needed rescuing.

Firefighters used an Aerial Ladder Platform and worked alongside colleagues in the Ambulance Service to safely rescue the man.

He was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

The fire was extinguished by 11:58am.

Firefighters were called to reports of a barn fire in Little Totham on Thursday evening.

On arrival, crews confirmed that the barn was around 50% alight. The barn, which measures approximately 40 metres by 20 metres, contained roughly 50 tonnes of baled straw as well as agricultural machinery.

Given the remote location of the fire, the officer-in-charge requested the support of a water bowser. The water bowser carries a large amount of water, helping to support firefighters with a good supply for a longer period of time.

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of having working smoke alarms after a woman was alerted to a tumble dryer fire in Braintree.

Crews were called to a house fire in Deal Close at 10:04am after the resident heard her smoke alarms going off, got out of the house and called us.

On arrival, firefighters reported that the kitchen was heavily smoke-logged from a tumble dryer fire.

Firefighters extinguished the fire by 10:31am.

The cause of the fire was accidental and believed to be a fault within the tumble dryer.

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of acting quickly to get out of the house during a fire after a family of four escaped a house fire in Colchester.

Crews were called to a house fire in Turner Road at 8:28am today.

On arrival, crews reported that the house was heavily smoke logged and extinguished the fire by 9:36am.

Firefighters believe the fire was caused by an electrical fault in a portable heater.

The family has been rendered homeless due to the fire and smoke damage.

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a restaurant in Clacton on Tuesday evening.

On arrival, crews confirmed that the fire was within the kitchen area. Smoke and fire had also begun spreading further throughout the premises.

The fire was extinguished by 9.28pm. We believe it was caused after a build-up of fat and grease in the extractor fan ignited.

Firefighters have urged people to be careful when using candles and tea lights after a fire in a flat in Laindon on Valentines Day (Tuesday) evening.

Crews were called to a first floor flat in Beeston Courts and when they arrived, the property was completely smoke logged.

Fortunately, the occupants of the property had been alerted by working smoke alarms and able to get out safely and call 999.

The fire was extinguished by 9.34pm.

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in Foster Street, near Harlow on Sunday evening.

On arrival, crews confirmed that a large amount of straw, covering an area around 60 metres by 30 metres, was completely alight.

Crews worked hard to get the fire surrounded and prevent it from spreading further. Control teams received a large amount of calls to the incident, with the fire visible from the nearby M11 - if you notice the fire or smoke in the area, please don't be concerned.