Bonfire destroys shed and neighbouring home

Crews were called to a property in Challinor, Harlow earlier today when a garden fire spread to a shed and a neighbouring property.

Firefighters were called to a house in Harlow at 10:20am, when a garden fire, which was believed to be extinguished, spread to a shed and a neighbouring property.

On arrival, crews confirmed that there was a fire in the garden, a shed and the ground floor of a property. Crews soon discovered that the fire had also spread into the roof space of the affected property.

Garden fire in Writtle

Crews were called to a property in Writtle last night when a garden caught alight and smoke filled two homes.

Firefighters were called to a property in Longmeads Close at 6:24pm, when an incinerator being used to burn garden waste caused a fire which spread quickly across the garden.

On arrival, crews confirmed that there was a fire in the garden, and smoke had entered two properties. Firefighters provided first aid to a neighbour who was suffering from smoke inhalation and the occupant was looked after by a neighbour and relatives.

PHOTOS: Industrial unit fire

Update 11pm

Firefighters remain at the scene, using a hose reel to cool hotspots. 1 x Aerial Ladder Platform is still in use.

Relief crews will be taking over at 12:30am. 

Update 6:30pm

Firefighters are working to dismantle the building to tackle remaining hotspots.

Crews will remain overnight to monitor the hotspots.

An investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire.

Flat fire in Waltham Abbey

We were called to a fire in a building on Crooked Mile, Waltham Abbey at 12:51pm.

On arrival, crews confirmed there was a fire in a flat on the second floor and the building was heavily smoke-logged. One person was led to safety using a fire hood.

Crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire and we’re pleased to report that nobody was hurt as a result of the incident this afternoon.

Station Manager, Mark Elliott, said, “Thank you to crews from ECFRS and Hertfordshire who have worked really hard today which meant the fire was resolved quickly.

Smoke alarm alerts occupant to kitchen fire

Firefighters were called to a property in Thurrock this evening, after a fire started in the kitchen.

Crews were called to a property in Frederick Andrews Court at 7:59pm tonight, when a smoke alarm alerted a man to a fire in his kitchen.

On arrival, firefighters confirmed the property was heavily smoke-logged as a result of burnt cooking and a man in his seventies had suffered from smoke inhalation.

Crews worked to make the property safe and cleared the flat of smoke by 8:23pm. The occupant was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

Firefighters issue safety advice after kitchen fire

Firefighters are urging people to take care when cooking with hot oil this morning, following an incident in Harlow last night where a woman was injured after pouring water on a hot frying pan.

Crews from Harlow were called to Berecroft at 9.11pm after neighbours heard a smoke alarm going off. On arrival, they found a woman had been rescued from the property by a neighbour who had raised the alarm, they were both suffering from the effects of the smoke.

PHOTO: Motorhome fire destroys bungalow and damages another

Update 5pm

Crews have extinguished the fire and an investigation into how the fire started is taking place. 

Firefighters have handed the scene over to UK Power Networks who are working to restore power.


Firefighters are currently at the scene of a fire in Frinton where a motorhome on a driveway caught alight and spread to two bungalows.

Our control team received more than 30 calls to this incident and sent a third crew while the first two were on their way.

Discarded cigarette sets fence panels alight

Firefighters are advising residents to make sure cigarettes are properly stubbed out before discarding them after a fire in Clacton last night.

Crews were called to Beach Road, Clacton at 8pm and reported that six fences panels were alight.

The fire was affecting neighbouring flats and two windows were broken due to heat damage. The fire also melted some of the guttering.

Crews extinguished the fire by 8:47pm and believe it was caused by a discarded cigarette in a pile of rubbish.

Bonfire sets shed alight

Firefighters were called to Maldon Road in Stanway last night after a bonfire had set fire to a shed.

On arrival, crews reported that a shed was 100% alight after a bonfire set too close to the shed had spread.

Crews extinguished the fire by 10:47pm.

If you’re planning to have a bonfire:

Overheated battery causes shed fire

Firefighters are advising residents to take care when charging batteries after an overheated battery caused a shed fire in Colchester early this morning.

Two crews from Colchester were called to Halstead Road in Colchester at 2:41am.

On arrival, firefighters reported that a large shed was 100% alight and the smoke was beginning to affect the house.

Crews extinguished the fire by 3:28am and believe the fire was caused by a battery that had overheated while charging.