Thanks to their working smoke alarms an elderly couple were alerted to a fire in their home in Sible Hedingham last night.

When firefighters arrived at the property they reported that there was a deep seated fire in the chimney breast. The fire had completely burnt through and destroyed a 400 year old beam and had broken through the plaster.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and thoroughly checked the whole chimney and surrounding area to ensure there wasn't any fire spread or hot spots.

Firefighters helped a 28-year-old horse get back on her feet in Ramsey this afternoon.

Crews were called to Wrabness Road, Ramsey at 2:24pm to reports that a horse had fallen and couldn’t get back up.

Our Animal Rescue Unit from Chelmsford was used to help crews and a vet lift the horse.

Firefighters rescued her by 4:14pm and she trotted off to her stable.

Firefighters have extinguished a chimney fire in Canewdon.

Our Control team were called yesterday (Tuesday 24 January) at 10.43pm to reports of a fire in Creeksea Ferry Road.

A crew from Rochford attended and used thermal imaging cameras to inspect the chimney. They then used rods, a hose and a stirrup pump to clear a build-up of soot and put out a small fire.

It was fully extinguished by 1.35am.

Firefighters rescued Rainbow the budgie who was trapped behind a kitchen cupboard.

Our Control team were called today at 7.19pm. Station Manager Paul Nash attended the property in Polley Close, Kirby Cross and requested the assistance of Frinton's crew, who removed part of the unit to free Rainbow.

Station Manager Nash said: "It might just be a budgie to some people, but Rainbow is a real lifeline to its owner. We were delighted to be able to help."

Crews have issued advice after extinguishing a fire caused by a halogen heater.

Our Control team were called to London Road, Clacton today at 8.04am.

Crews from Clacton (two), Weeley and Colchester attended and found a well developed fire in the ground floor of an end terrace house.

Station Manager Dave Bond said: "Crews did a fantastic job of stopping what was a significant fire from spreading from the room where it started.

Crews have issued safety advice following a fire at a mid terraced home in Harlow.

Our Control team were called to reports of a fire in a three-storey property in Purford Green today at 6.09pm.

Two crews from Harlow and one from Epping attended.

Watch Manager Ross Daynes said: "A member of the public gave our Control team a really good description of the fire, including that it had spread to the roof, at which point I requested the third appliance.