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.

Firefighters were called to a property in Chadwell St. Mary this morning, after a mum discovered a fire in her kitchen.

Crews were called to Hill House Drive at 11:39am.

On arrival, firefighters confirmed there was a fire in the kitchen, caused by a pan of oil which had overheated.

Crews worked to extinguish the fire by 12:07pm, and cleared the flat of smoke.

Firefighters were called to a lorry fire on the M11 Southbound between Junctions 7-6, Harlow at 7:38pm.

On arrival, crews reported that the front of the lorry was on fire and heavily smoke logged.

Crews worked to prevent the fire from spreading to the container and extinguished the fire by 8:19pm.

During the incident, a large amount of fuel spilled onto the road.

The M11 Southbound between Junctions 7-6 will be closed for several hours while the spillage is cleared. Please avoid the area.