Firefighters were called to reports of a fire on the first floor of a terraced cottage in Tollesbury early this morning (Thursday 10 November).

The firefighters first on the scene reported the first floor of the property was full of smoke. Thankfully the occupants were safely outside when the crews arrived. The fire was found in the airing cupboard. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the fire before the fire could spread to the rest of the cottage. Fire crews then ventilated the property to clear the smoke.

Firefighters were called to reports of a chemical spill in the plant room of a school swimming pool in Benfleet this afternoon (Friday 11 November)

The spill was contained to the plant room. Fire crews investigating the spill found it was a mixture of two common swimming pool chemicals which had temporarily produced a strong smell and fumes. Fire crews ensured the area was ventilated and are currently working to safely handover the incident to the on-site staff.

Two members of staff were left in the care of the Ambulance Service as a precaution after inhaling the fumes.

UPDATE - Thursday 8 December

The fire investigation found that the fire started accidentally.

UPDATE 2.45AM

Crews extinguished the fire by 11.49pm and one crew will remain at the scene into the morning the dampen down and check for hotspots.

An investigation will take place to establish the cause.

Station Manager Mark Elliott said: "Crews did a fantastic job and worked really hard to contain the fire to the mezzanine floor above the kitchen."

UPDATE 11.20pm

Crews extinguished a fire affecting an outbuilding in Ardleigh.

We were called to Bromley Road today at 3.08pm and our Control teams sent crews from Colchester (two), Weeley and Brightlingsea.

Firefighters found a single storey outbuilding measuring approximately 5 metres by 15 metres alight.

Temporary Watch Manager Luke Beardmore said: "The fire had spread to the roof space so crews had to work extremely hard to get it under control.

"Thanks to their professionalism they were able to stop the fire from spreading and extinguish it."

Firefighters were called to a flat fire by concerned neighbours who were alerted by the sound of a smoke alarm in the property below them.

When fire crews arrived they reported that the flat was completely full of smoke and there was a fire in the open plan kitchen/living area. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the fire and stopped it spreading further.

The flat has suffered serious fire damage. The cause of the fire is thought to be a discarded cigarette.

On-call firefighters from Sible Hedingham and Wethersfield were called to a house in Sible Hedingham last night (Tuesday 29 November) after a man discovered a fire in his utility room. 

The homeowner had first been alerted to an issue when his electricity tripped. He reset the fuse board but it quickly tripped again so he decided to investigate further. 

It was at that point he noticed an orange glow coming from behind the door of the utility room, and upon opening it saw three-feet flames coming out the back of the tumble dryer. 

Firefighters have urged people to make sure they keep their hobs clean and clear after a kitchen fire in Colchester this afternoon.

When crews arrived at the property, the kitchen was heavily smoke-logged. A slow cooker had been placed on the hob - and when the hob was accidentally turned on, the slow cooker caught fire.

Fortunately, smoke alarms sounded and the occupants managed to close the kitchen door to prevent the fire from spreading further, before getting out of the property safely.

Firefighters were called to the scene of a fire in an industrial unit in Canvey this morning.

On arrival, crews confirmed the unit, which measures approximately 150 metres by 50 metres, was completely alight.

Crews worked hard to surround the fire as quickly as possible, including by using an Aerial Ladder Platform to spray water on the building from above.

At 7.30am, two crews remained at the scene dampening down hotspots.