Firefighters have issued a warning to homeowners following a kitchen fire in Colchester this morning.

Watch Manager Ian Ryder, Colchester Fire Station said:

"We are urging residents in Essex to keep their hobs and oven completely clear. This morning we were called out to a kitchen fire which started after a cardboard box was left on top of an electric hob. The hob had been turned on accidentally by the family's pet dog.

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of keeping your hob clear after a kitchen fire in Basildon yesterday.

Crews were called to a house fire in Redgrave Road at 1:30pm.

On arrival, crews reported that the kitchen was smoke logged.

Firefighters believe the fire started when a chopping board left on the hob had caught alight.

Crew Manager Fin Tubby from Basildon Fire Station said: “Please keep your hob clear once you’ve finished cooking. We’ve seen fires where people have accidentally left the hob on or pets have jumped up and turned them on.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service's (ECFRS) control staff made their own rescue last night following a road traffic collision. 

The team provides a vital service by answering 999 calls and organsing resources across the county to make sure the right response reaches the right people in an emergency.

However, they aren't usually the ones to provide the rescue themselves. 

Crews were called to a house in Winnock Road, Colchester, last night (Monday) after reports of a house fire. 

On arrival firefighters reported the fire was in an upstairs bedroom and quickly tackled it. 

Following an investigation, officers determined that the fire was caused by a fault in a digital timer that powered the immersion heater. 

Colchester Fire Station's White Watch Manager said:

"There were no smoke alarms in this man's home. As firefighters, we simply can not understand why there are still homes without smoke alarms. 

Firefighters were called to rescue a horse, Bonnie, who was stuck in a ditch with three feet of water.

A vet was called to sedate Bonnie, to make the rescue safer.

Specialist animal rescue fire crews used lines and strops to pull Bonnie up the bank to safety.

Bonnie was rescued by 3pm and left in the care of it's owner.

Crews were called to a farm in High Easter Road, Barnston, this morning (Sunday) after reports of a building fire. 

On arrival firefighters reported that an agricultural building, measuring around 20m x 25m was completely smoke logged and there was a small fire in the corner.

Watch Manager Mark Nevill, Leaden Roding Fire Station, said:

"I'd like to thank the farmer and farm staff for their assistance and teamwork. 

Firefighters were called to Pod's Brook Road in Braintree last night after reports that a car had left the road. 

On arrival firefighters reported that one person was trapped in their car and worked to release them by 00.25

The casualty was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

Thanks to their working smoke alarms an elderly couple were alerted to a fire in their home in Sible Hedingham last night.

When firefighters arrived at the property they reported that there was a deep seated fire in the chimney breast. The fire had completely burnt through and destroyed a 400 year old beam and had broken through the plaster.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and thoroughly checked the whole chimney and surrounding area to ensure there wasn't any fire spread or hot spots.