Weed burner causes shed fire

Firefighters were called to a shed fire in Osborne Close, Clacton at 2:05pm. 

On arrival, crews reported that a shed was on fire and was starting to spread to a nearby bungalow. 

Firefighters rescued an elderly woman from the bungalow and extinguished the fire by 2:45pm. 

Crews believe the fire was caused by a weed burner that had not fully cooled down before being put in the shed.

Working smoke alarms save man’s life

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of working smoke alarms after a man was woken up during a flat fire by his smoke alarms. 

Crews were called to Old Road, Clacton at 3:43am to reports of a flat fire. 

On arrival, crews reported the flat was 100% smoke logged and the smoke alarms were going off. Firefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus entered the flat and found a pan on fire in the kitchen. 

Crews worked to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring flats. 

Tractor fire spreads to field

Firefighters were called to a tractor fire in Parsonage Farm Lane, Great Sampford at 2:48pm. 

On arrival, crews reported that a tractor and a hay baler were on fire. The fire was starting to spread to the stubble fields. 

Crews worked with the farmer to extinguish the fire by 4:20pm. 

Station Manager Lee Hurst said: “A big thank you to the farmer on scene who acted quickly to get a water bowser to us. We had a limited water supply and it was great to work with the farmer to extinguish the fire and prevent it spreading further.”

Flat fire

Firefighters were called to a flat fire in Lushes Road, Loughton at 7:58pm last night. 

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

Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and isolate the gas supply.

Hay baler and bales on fire

Firefighters were called to a field fire in Bures Road, White Colne at 5:35pm. 

On arrival, two crews reported that a hay baler and approximately 80 bales of hay were on fire in a field. 

Due to a limited water supply, crews requested two more crews from Halstead and Stansted. They also requested a water bowser from Halstead to help with the limited water supply. 

Firefighters surrounded the fire and worked with the farmer to extinguish it by 7:41pm. 

what3words helps fire service find teenager in lake

Firefighters and control staff are highlighting the importance of the mobile app what3words after it helped us find a teenager in a lake last night. 

Crews were called when a group of teenagers had been playing in and around the lake. One of them had been sitting on a raft and it started to drift to the middle of the lake. 

The group didn’t know where they were and were encouraged by our control room to download what3words - a free app that helps accurately describe your location.