Firefighters were called to a house fire in Waarem Avenue, Canvey Island at 8:39am. 

On arrival, crews reported that a roof was on fire after being struck by lightning. 

The neighbours heard the loud bang of the lightning striking the roof and acted quickly to dial 999.

Firefighters worked to prevent the fire spreading throughout the rest of the property. 

The roof was destroyed in the fire and has left the home uninhabitable. 

Crews extinguished a roof fire after a bungalow in Corringham was struck by lightning.

We were called to York Avenue today at 3.44am and crews from Corringham, Orsett, Basildon and Grays attended.

They found smoke billowing from the roof, which was completely alight.

Watch Manager Geoff Wheal said: "The couple were woken by a massive bang and then heard neighbours knocking on their door.

"Thanks to the neighbours, the couple along with their six dogs and cat got out safely.

Crews have issued safety advice after embers from a fire pit set a house alight.

We were called to Hilltop, Loughton today at 6.46am and crews from Loughton and Waltham Abbey attended.

A man in his forties suffered smoke inhalation and burns after tackling the fire.

Watch Manager Glenn Jackson said: "The cause was found to be smouldering embers, which had been used in a fire pit in the garden the night before.

"The fire pit had been left next to garden furniture and set it alight. The fire then spread to a fence, wood pile and part of the house.

Firefighters in Basildon were alerted to a house fire in Pitsea last night (Thursday 15 June).

When fire crews arrived, they reported the house was fully alight, but thankfully no one home at the time of the fire. Firefighters quickly got the fire surrounded and prevented it from spreading to the house next door.

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a bungalow in Feering last night (Thursday 15 June).

Crews at the scene reported that the fire started on the ground floor of the property, but had also spread to the roof space.

The cause is undetermined.

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a bungalow in Ongar this afternoon (Thursday 15 June).

When fire crews arrived they reported the elderly residents were already out of the property which was completely alight.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire and extinguished it by 5:55pm.

Firefighters were called to a fire in a terraced house Witham this evening (Tuesday 13 June).

When fire crews arrived they reported the fire was affecting the whole house, including the roof space.

Firefighters were called to a fire affecting the roof spaces of four houses in Onslow Close, Colchester this afternoon. 

On arrival, crews reported that a fire in a garden had spread up a mid terraced house and into the roof space. 

The smoke from the roof was spreading into three adjoining roof spaces. 

Firefighters requested the help of two more crews from Colchester and Witham and an Aerial Ladder Platform to tackle the fire in sections. 

Firefighters were called to a grass fire on the A12 between Junction 11-12 Brentwood to Mountnessing at 2:58pm. 

On arrival, crews reported that a pile of rubbish and an area of grass was on fire. 

Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire by 3:30pm.