Essex County Fire and Rescue Service offers a 24/7 service to the press. Our incident database is updated on a regular basis by the media team and we have established a hotline - 01376 570 814 - where you will be able to reach us round-the-clock. We do ask that routine check calls are not made between 10pm and 6am, because all items of interest will be posted here as they happen. Please note this is NOT a service for the public and press from outside our local area are asked politely to adhere to these guidelines.
Photographs from incidents may be downloaded for publication. These may be used free of charge by all accredited newspapers and media agencies providing they carry a credit to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. Breaches of this arrangement will result in an invoice of £70 per image. Our film footage may also be used under similar arrangement.
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Details/ImagesIncident No: 13717
Date: 05-07-2010
Time: 03:16
Details: Facia alight
Address: Padmore Butchers, High Street, Ongar
Attendance: 1 x Ongar, 1 x Brentwood
Firefighters used one hose reel to put out a fire involving a roof and awning of a butcher's shop.
Crews desbribed this as a small fire and at 03:35 hrs said the fire was under control and that they were cutting away to ensure that the fire was fully extinguished.
The incident was dealt with by 03:44 hrs. Th cause of the incident is still being investigated.
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Details/ImagesIncident No: 13708
Date: 04-07-2010
Time: 23:04
Details: Fatal flat fire
Address: Tithelands, Harlow
Attendance: 2 x Harlow, 1 x Old Harlow
One man has died in a flat fire in Harlow. A joint Police and Fire Service investigation into the cause of the fire will take place.
Crews were alerted after thick black smoke was seen coming from the flat. On arrival at the scene, crews reported that the property was well alight and heavily smoke logged. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus made a search as it was reported people may be inside. Police and Ambulance teams were called to the scene.
At 23:49 hours, the officer in charge reported that the fire had been extinguished and that crews were using a high pressure fan to clear the property of smoke. He confirmed one male fatality.
The incident was dealt with by 00:17 hrs but fire investigation and police scenes of crime officers remain at the scene.
We have no further information.
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Details/ImagesIncident No: 13661
Date: 04-07-2010
Time: 15:40
Details: 60 tonnes of hay on fire
Address: Weymarks Old Farm, Bradwell Aerodrome, Bradwell
Attendance: 2 x Burnham, 1 xWickford, 1 x Maldon, 1 x Woodham Ferrers
A shortage of water and high winds hampered firefighting operations as crews fought to bring a blaze involving 60 tonnes of baled hay under control.
Initially one appliance was sent to the incident, but on arrival at the scene, the officer in charge requested the attendance of an additional two appliances because of a shortage of water. Later, as high winds fanned flames, two additional appliances, including a special Pinzgauer off-road vehicle were also sent to the scene.
Firefighters used two hose reels to tackle the fire with the farm bowser covering surrounding areas. Farm workers used a fork lift to move bales so that crews could get to the seat of the fire.
At 17:49 hrs, firefighters reported that steady progress was being made. They were using two hose reels and a water relay to bring the fire under control.
The incident was dealt with by 18:33 hrs. The cause of the fire is thought to be accidental. Crews will revisit the scene of the fire at 21:30 hrs to ensure no hotspots have developed and that the blaze remains fully extinguished.
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Details/ImagesIncident No: 13654
Date: 04-07-2010
Time: 14:55
Details: Man rescued from shed
Address: Aylesbury Drive, Holland on Sea
Attendance: 1 x Clacton, 1 x Colchester
A 42-year-old man was rescued from the roof of his shed by firefighters after getting stuck. The casualty became stuck after dislocating his knee.
Crews were called in to assist Ambulance teams and used a triple extension ladder to reach the man and bring him down to safety. He was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.
The incident was dealt with by 15:10 hrs.
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Details/ImagesIncident No: 13652
Date: 04-07-2010
Time: 14:50
Details: Injured boy carried from roof
Address: St Peter's College, Fox Crescent, Chelmsford
Attendance: 2 x Chelmsford
Ambulance crews called in firefighters to assist in rescuing a boy with back and neck injuries.
The 12-year-old had falled from a roof and was injured on a flat roof below on the first floor of the building.
The casualty was placed on a apinal board and broad to safety on an aerial ladder platform case. He was left in the care of Ambulance Service paramedics.
The incident was dealt with by 15:37 hrs. We have no information as to how the incident happened.
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Details/ImagesIncident No: 13643
Date: 04-07-2010
Time: 13:45
Details: House fire
Address: Spinning Wheel Mead, Harlow
Attendance: 2 x Harlow
Crews were called to tackle a fire in a house. The fire was out on arrival. At 14:01 hrs, firefighters were using a high pressure fan to clear the property of smoke.
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Details/ImagesIncident No: 13618
Date: 04-07-2010
Time: 06:30
Details: Garage alight
Address: Malwood Road, Benfleet
Attendance: 2 x Canvey, 2 x Rayleigh Weir
Crews are tackling a fire in a garage adjoining a house. Firefighters are wearing breathing apparatus and using hose reels in an attempt to prevent spread to the two storey house.
Firefighters report that the garage, measuring 4m x 6m, is 100 per cent well alight.
Initially two appliances were sent to tackle the incident after ECFRS Control received numerous calls from neighbours and passers by. On arrival at the scene, the officer in charge requested the attendance of an additional two crews.
At 07:10 hrs, firefighters report that the fire is now extinguished. 30 per cent of the house is still smoke logged and they are using high pressure fans to clear the property of smoke.
Officer in Charge of the incident, Sub Officer Russ Freeman of Blue Watch, says the woman owes her life to a working smoke alarm and a quick thinking neighbour. That neighbour has now been recommended for a Fire Service Commendation for this morning's actions.
Graham Howett, 44, was heading off for an early round of golf when he saw the fire and ran to the aid of his 67-year-old neighbour who was trapped in the burning building.
Sub Officer Freemand explained: "The smoke alarm which had been fitted by ECFRS woke the woman from her bed and she went downstairs, opened the front door and was beaten back by flames. She tried the back door but couldn't get through there either because of the heat and smoke.
"Mr Howett saw her at the lounge window, picked up a nearby flower pot and tried three times to break the glass. He eventually succeeded and with the woman's help managed to unlock the window and drag her through it to safety. She would have been unlikely to be able to get out on her own, so he most definitely saved her from serious injury at best."
The woman was checked over by Ambulance Service crews at the scene but did not need hospital treatment.
Canvey Station Commander Martin Pullen said: "The fire is being investigated but early indications are that it started in the garage and spread to the house. The incident is being treated as accidental at this time."
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Details/ImagesIncident No: 13593
Date: 03-07-2010
Time: 21:23
Details: Cottage fire
Address: Ardley End, Hatfield Heath
Attendance: 1 x Leaden Roding, 1 x Stansted, 1 x Dunmow, 1 x Sawbridgworth (Herts)
Crews were called to a TV on fire in a cottage. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reels to extinguish flames and to prevent the blaze spreading to a nearby thatched property.
At 21:44 hrs, crews reported that the ground floor of the two storey building, measuring 20m x 30m, was 50 per cent alight and that they were working to prevent spread. They called for the urgent attendance of the Electricity Board to isolate supply to the cottage.
The incident was dealt with by 22:35 hrs.
Originally two appliances were sent to the incident, but on arrival at the scene, the officer in charge requested two additional crews for extra breathing apparatus. Two appliances were stood down as the fire was brought under control.
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Details/ImagesIncident No: 13539
Date: 03-07-2010
Time: 11:36
Details: Barn fire
Address: The Mount, Bardfield, Shalford
Attendance: 2 x Braintree
Crews were called to tackle a fire in a barn. Firefighters reported that the property, measuring approximatly 5m x 2m and containing about two tonnes of straw, was well alight when they arrived at the scene.
They used two hose reels to tackle the blaze, which was extinguished by 12:18 hrs. Crews remained at the scene for another hour turning over and damping down.
We have no information relating to the cause of the incident at this stage.
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Details/ImagesIncident No: 13487
Date: 02-07-2010
Time: 20:18
Details: fire in store
Address: Wimpy, London Road, Benfleet
Attendance: 2 x Rayleigh Weir
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used one hose reel to tackle a fire in the store of a fast food restaurant. Quick action by crews kept the fire confined to the store room but the whole of the property was heavily smoke logged. Once the fire was out, crews used a high pressure fan to clear the property of smoke.
The incident was dealt with by 21:19 hrs. Station Officer Martin Pullen said: "Staff were alerted to the fire by the fire alarm actuating from a smoke detector in a freezer store room. There were customer in the restaurant at the time and all were evacuated quickly and safely.
""The fire was recorded as accidental - early indications are that a fault developed in the freezer setting fire to cardboard boxes stored there."
