Firefighters have issued safety advice after a fire started by a weed burner damaged a shed and multiple gardens. 

Crews from Basildon were called to Rantree Fold, Basildon at 12.32pm today. 

The resident had been burning weeds and accidentally started a fire which spread rapidly. Crews arrived within 5 minutes and were able to stop the fire from spreading to any properties.

Firefighters rescued a trapped seagull in Chelmsford today. 

Crews were called to Clock Tower Retail Park, Chelmsford at 12.18pm. 

Station Manager John Warmann said: "A person working in the retail park had called our Control Room to let us know about a seagull which was stuck in the roof. The poor thing had been hanging by its foot for a while. 

"Crews used an Aerial Ladder Platform to rescue the seagull and get it down carefully. When we brought it down we could see that its foot was actually broken so it was taken to the local vets." 

Update 5pm 

Firefighters have extinguished the fire and left the incident. Crews believe the fire was started deliberately. 

Many wildfires are started deliberately or are due to careless, reckless, or irresponsible behaviour. If you see or suspect someone of acting suspiciously, recklessly, or irresponsibly in the countryside contact the Police on 101 or pass information anonymously by visiting the FireStoppers website or call 0800 169 5558.

Crews extinguished a fire affecting a fourth floor flat in Southend.

We were called to the 11-storey Beaver Tower in Mansell Close, Eastwood, today (Monday 14 July) at 3.45am.

Crews from Leigh, Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two) attended.

Station Manager Steve Osborn said: "A tumble dryer had caught fire in an internal balcony and spread to the lounge.

"Fortunately the smoke alarm alerted and occupants and they were able to get out and call 999.

Crews have extinguished a field fire in Little Burstead.

We were called to Common Road today at 4.13pm and crews from Brentwood, Chelmsford, Corringham and Grays (two) and an off road vehicle from Billericay attended.

Group Manager Pete Donovan said: "Crews worked really hard in extremely hot conditions and farmers helped by working with us to create firebreaks.

"Thanks to everyone's hard work, we were able to protect surrounding fields and extinguish the fire."

We were called to an incident involving a light aircraft at Southend Airport today at 3.58pm.

Crews from Southend (two), Rayleigh Weir and Basildon (two), along with off road vehicles from Billericay and Chelmsford attended.

We are continuing to work at the scene with our emergency services and aviation partners.

You can read Essex Police's statement below:

We remain on the scene of a serious incident at Southend Airport.

We were alerted shortly before 4pm to reports of a collision involving one 12-metre plane.

Update 9.45am

Crews remain at the scene of fire affecting a former poultry shed in Finchingfield.

Firefighters protected surrounding buildings and fields and we were able to scale down the incident to three crews at about 8.50am.

Two crews will remain at the scene into the morning to dampen down and check for hotspots.

Firefighters were called to a significant fire involving two large wooden agricultural buildings in Finchingfield this morning.

Crews extinguished a house fire in North Weald Bassett.

We were called to Tempest Mead today at 3.32am and crews from Ongar, Loughton, Old Harlow, Brentwood, Harlow and Leaden Roding, along with an aerial ladder platform from Chelmsford, attended.

Crews were faced with a fully developed fire affecting a three-storey detached house. 

Station Manager John Warmann said: "Initial crews did a really good job of surrounding the fire, stopping it from spreading and protecting nearby properties.

This afternoon, firefighters acted swiftly to contain a developing fire in Braintree, stopping it just inches from reaching a row of back gardens.

Crews worked incredibly hard to surround and prevent the fire from spreading to dozens of homes backing onto the field. Thanks to their quick action and the use of new wildfire tactics and equipment including specialist blowers recently introduced to the Service, the fire was brought under control before it could cause any damage to properties.