Crews have issued safety advice after discarded electric scooter batteries caused a bin lorry fire.

We were called to Wheelers Close, Nazeing today (14 May) at 9.33am and two crews from Harlow attended.

Crews extinguished a fire affecting rubbish in a bin lorry by 10am. Fortunately, it was out before it spread to the vehicle.

Watch Manager Ross Daynes said: "We believe the fire was caused by lithium-ion batteries, probably from an e-scooter.

"We would urge residents not to dispose of batteries in their household waste.

Firefighters are urging smokers to properly stub out cigarettes after a fire in Colchester was caused by a discarded cigarette earlier today. 

Crews were called to Erica Walk, Colchester today after reports of a fire. 

When firefighters arrived they found the decking of a terraced property on fire, which had spread to the gas meter and gas main. 

Crews extinguished the fire by 2.09pm and believe it was caused by a discarded cigarette. 

Update: Monday 12 May

A fire investigation has been carried out and the cause recorded as accidental. 

Firefighters were called to a house fire at Beach House Gardens, Canvey Island, at 2.17pm this afternoon following multiple reports of a fire.

On arrival, crews reported that a garage fire had spread to the first floor and roof space of a detached house. By 3.21pm, the incident commander confirmed that firefighters had surrounded the fire.

Crews were called to a road traffic collision last night (Saturday 10 May) at the junction of Forest Way and Woodridden Hill in High Beech.

Two people were trapped in a vehicle and firefighters worked alongside paramedics to safely extricate them. Both casualties were left in the care of the ambulance service.

Our teams used specialist rescue equipment to carry out the extrications and made the scene safe before leaving at around 10.40pm.

Three people were rescued from a house fire in Laindon this morning.

Crews were called to a terraced house after a man called 999 to report a fire downstairs and said he was trapped upstairs with another person. He was also unsure whether a third person was inside the property.

Control Crew Manager Vanessa Osborne took the 999 call and provided vital fire survival guidance over the phone. She said:

Firefighters were called to a flat fire in Wellesley Road, Colchester at 3am. 

On arrival, crews reported a second floor flat was heavily smoke logged and worked to extinguish a fire in the kitchen. 

Crews believe the fire was caused by an e-bike battery on charge in the kitchen. 

Watch Manager Doc Holliday from Colchester Fire Station said: “This incident highlights the importance of charging e-bikes and e-scooters safely.