Firefighters were called to a deliberate fire in a derelict building in Crouch Street, Colchester last night. 

On arrival, crews reported that there was a fire inside a derelict building.

Crews from Colchester used an Aerial Ladder Platform with colleagues from Weeley and West Mersea tackling the fire from inside the building. Crews extinguished the fire, which was affecting about a quarter of the building, by 8.24pm.

Firefighters believe this fire was started deliberately.

UPDATED 8.25AM (Thursday 20 July)

Firefighters remained at the scene overnight and are continuing to let the haystack burn under control. One crew is in attendance.

UPDATED 10.20PM (Wednesday 19 July)

Crews are continuing to deal with a large haystack fire.

The fire has been surrounded and a farmer has created firebreaks.

Two crews are likely to remain at the scene overnight until the fire is completely extinguished.

UPDATE 11PM

The field fire has been extinguished but four crews remain at the scene dealing with the fire affecting the combine harvester.

Group Manager Craig McLellan said: "Crews did a fantastic job of surrounding the fire so quickly and stopping it from spreading.

"The fire affected about 10 acres of crops so they had to work incredibly hard to extinguish it. I'd like to thank the farmer for assistance too.

"Due to the rural location, crews have set up a water relay to extinguish the fire affecting the combine harvester." 

Firefighters were called to a fire near Colchester Road, Mount Bures today (Monday 17 July).

Crews at the scene reported that the fire, which started in a timber built outbuilding, had spread to a neighbouring thatched house. The outbuilding was completely destroyed by the fire.

Crews have issued safety advice after a kitchen fire in Waltham Abbey.

We were called to a semi-detached house in Ruskin Avenue today at 10.57am and crews from Loughton, Harlow and Cheshunt (Hertfordshire) attended.

The fire was out when crews arrived but they used a fan to clear the smoke, isolated the electrics and gave oxygen to the occupants, who had breathed in smoke.

Crew Manager Stephen Gill said: "They were cooking sausages and it appears oil in the frying pan got too hot, ignited and set fire to the cooker hood. 

There was a fire inside Orsett Fire Station last night (Thursday 12 July) which was dealt with quickly by our crews.

The firefighters on duty were carrying out training and other activities at the time of the fire. They were alerted by the alarms inside the station.

 No one was injured although the fire engine cab and the fire station’s doors were damaged. 

Firefighters at the station worked quickly to extinguish the fire before crews from nearby stations arrived to support.

UPDATED 3.30PM

Crews have extinguished a field fire in Boreham.

Station Manager Nick Singleton said: "I'd like to praise our firefighters, particularly crews from Chelmsford and Witham who were first to arrive and stopped the fire from spreading.

"Due to the wind direction, the fire was getting very close to some houses but crews surrounded the fire quickly.

Firefighters were called to a field fire in Woodham Walter.