Man traps his arm in double-decker coach

Crews were called to a work yard in Roydon today to rescue a man whose arm had become trapped within the suspension of a coach.

A double-decker coach was lifted with hydraulics when a strut failed, dropping the coach and trapping the man's arm. 

Firefighters were first on the scene and quickly began setting up equipment ready for the medical team's arrival. 

Station Manager Nick Singleton said:

"This incident took some time because it was important the equipment was set up safely and all procedures were followed to ensure a safe rescue. 

Fire leaves shop with smoke damage

Crews were called to a shop in London Road, Boreham, after a member of staff noticed smoke coming from a fridge freezer. 

The shop staff quickly evacuated the shop and called 999. 

Station Manager Nick Singleton said:

"The shop staff did a really great job of getting all customers out safely and efficiently - wherever you are, if you discover a fire you should always get out, stay out and call 999 - and that's exactly what they did. 

Dog rescued after road traffic collision 

Firefighters helped to rescue Ash the Golden Retriever and his owner yesterday after a road traffic collision in Bicknacre. 

Crews from Maldon and Great Baddow were called to a road traffic collision on White Elm Road, Bicknacre at 6:04pm. 

On arrival, crews reported that a car had left the roadway and was on its side in a ditch. 

A woman and a dog were trapped inside the car.

Crews worked to reassure them both and rescued them by 6:46pm. 

Both the woman and the dog were unharmed during the incident.

Smoke alarm alerts sleeping residents to fire

Firefighters were called to a fire at a house in Harlow early this morning (Thursday 11 May).

The residents were woken up by their working smoke alarm and called 999 immediately.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and ventilated the property.

Before firefighters left, they fitted new smoke alarms in the property, as the one which actuated was very close to the fire and may have suffered some damage.

Fire in derelict building

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a derelict building in Tilbury this afternoon (Thursday 11 May).

When fire crews arrived they reported that the roof and external walls of the building were not structurally stable and were likely to collapse imminently. 

Firefighters requested assistance from an ALP (aerial ladder platform - a fire engine with a very tall, motorised, extendable ladder on top) so firefighters could pour water on the fire from above.

Crews appeal to residents to park considerately after house fire

Crews have appealed to residents to park considerately following a house fire in Westcliff-on-Sea.

We were called to Fairmead Avenue today at 3.43am and crews from Southend and Leigh attended.

They were delayed getting to the property due to cars parked either side of the road blocking access.

Thankfully the occupant had got out of the property unharmed.

Electric bike left on charge causes garage fire

Crews have issued safety advice after a garage fire in Chafford Hundred.

We were called to Parnell Close yesterday at 9.20pm. Two crews from Grays attended and found a garage, measuring approximately 20 metres by 10 metres, completely alight.

They managed to stop the fire spreading to the adjacent two-story detached house and fully extinguished it by 11.47pm.

An investigation found the fire was caused by an electric bike left on charge.

Firefighters rescue fox stuck in an underground pipe

Firefighters helped to rescue a baby fox that was trapped in an underground pipe in Colchester today.

Crews were called to help the RSPCA in Turner Road, Colchester at 12:36pm after concerns that a fox was trapped in an underground pipe.

Firefighters from our Urban Search and Rescue team were called to use their camera to see where in the pipe the fox was trapped.

Crews then worked together to dig around the pipe to free the fox cub by 1:55pm.

The fox was left in the care of the RSPCA.