Firefighters were called to the scene of a large haystack fire on Thursday evening.

On arrival, crews reported several hundred tonnes of hay were alight, mainly in two large stacks.

Firefighters divided the incident into sectors, to allow them to surround the fire as quickly as possible - and worked incredibly hard to do so amid strong winds.

Crews requested the support of a water bowser - which provides a large supply of water, given the remote location of the fire.

Firefighters were called to a large field fire just after 4pm.

We received a number of calls to this incident as the wind was blowing the smoke across the A414. Due to the smoke affecting drivers, we worked with Essex Police to close parts of the A414.

Crews reported that approximately 30 acres of stubble was on fire.

Firefighters worked to prevent the fire from spreading to a neighbouring field and extinguished the fire by 6pm.

Crews stayed on scene until 7pm damping the area down.

We were called to Burnt Dick Hill, Boxted at 1:15pm.

On arrival, crews confirmed there was a field fire involving approximately 50 acres of straw.

Firefighters used hose reels and beaters to extinguish the fire by 3:08pm.

Three hectares of standing crop was affected.

The cause of the fire is unknown but not being treated as suspicious.

Update 9:30pm

Two crews remain at the scene dampining down the area and monitoring hotspots. 

Update 6:30pm

Firefighters have surrounded the fire and are working to extinguish it in sections.

The fire started in a field and in windy conditions, it spread across to a second field and to outbuildings. Two crews on scene requested the assistance of two further crews and an off-road vehicle.

If you live in the area, please keep your windows and doors shut as lots of smoke is coming from the scene.

Update 7:30pm

Crews have now left the scene after monitoring hotspots and dampening down the scene throughout the day.

An investigation into the cause of the fire was carried out and found it was caused accidentally.

Update 9am

The incident has been scaled down to two fire engines and an Aerial Ladder Platform.

Crews are currently damping down the scene and monitoring hotspots.

The building and a number of vehicles inside were destroyed in the fire.

Update 6:15pm

The fire is now out and crews expect to remain on scene for a few more hours while they dampen the area down. The incident has been scaled down to four crews.

Three large fields were affected by the fire which spread in windy conditions across the road.

Crews believe the fire was caused after a combine harvester malfunctioned.

Update 7:30pm

Crews have left the scene in the care of Cadent gas.

Crews are currently at a gas leak in Dunmow Road, Takeley following a road traffic collision.

The road is closed between the Takeley traffic lights and the Four Ashes Pub.

Please avoid the area while crews deal with this incident.

Firefighters were called to the scene after a two vehicle road traffic collision where one of the vehicles collided with a gas main.

A 100 metre cordon has been set up in the area.

Crews were called to property in Broomfield, Chelmsford last night after a home firework display caused a garden fire.

Firefighters were called to Main Road at 10:47pm.

On arrival, crews confirmed fireworks had set a large section of grass alight.

Firefighters worked hard to extinguish the fire by 11:18pm.

Crews were called to grass fire in Garons Park in Southend earlier today.

On arrival, firefighters confirmed that approximately two hectares of grass and heathland were alight.

Crews used hose reels and water backpack to extinguish the fire by 6:20pm.

We believe this fire may have been caused deliberately. 

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Firefighters were called to a fire in a property in Loughton at 11:03pm, when a fire started on the third floor.

On arrival, crews confirmed that there was a fire in the roof space and worked quickly to extinguish it by 12:27am.

Unfortunately, the roof suffered significant damage and the occupants have sadly been left homeless.

Crew Manager at Loughton, Andrew Stone, said “We’re urging smokers to ensure their cigarettes are properly extinguished. A lit cigarette can cause fires which can spread quickly.