Crews have issued safety advice after a candle caused a bedroom fire and left a family temporarily homeless. 

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a terraced property in Longmead Avenue, Chelmsford. 

Crews found a fire which had started in the bedroom after an unattended candle set fire to material surrounding it and spread quickly to the rest of the bedroom. 

The family were alerted by a smoke alarm and escaped unharmed.

Crews responded to a two-vehicle collision on Thorrington Road, Great Bentley, this morning, where one vehicle had left the road and landed in a ditch.

Firefighters worked to safely stabilise the vehicle and used specialist Holmatro cutting equipment to remove the driver’s door for access. The casualty, who was experiencing breathing difficulties, was left in the care of the ambulance service at 11.20am.

Crews responded to reports of a fire at a sailing club building.

On arrival, firefighters found an industrial unit alight, with the fire affecting both the first floor and roof space. It had also spread to the roof of a neighbouring residential property.

By 1.15pm, the Incident Commander confirmed that firefighters had contained the fire and were working to fully extinguish it and prevent any further spread. By 2.15pm, crews remained on scene damping down hotspots both internally and externally.

Firefighters are currently at the scene of an industrial unit fire in Commerce Park, Colchester. 

On arrival, crews from Colchester, Braintree, Clacton, Tiptree, Weeley and West Mersea reported there was a fire in a two-storey industrial unit with cylinders inside. 

Firefighters have the fire under control and have been working to extinguish it in sections. Crews have been using an Aerial Ladder Platform to extinguish the fire from above as well as from the ground.

Firefighters are currently at the scene of an industrial unit fire in Vange Park Road, Basildon. 

Four crews from Basildon, Brentwood and Canvey were called at 2:20pm.

On arrival, crews reported a fire in an industrial unit had spread to lorries and a number of skips. 

Firefighters requested additional crews from Grays, Rayleigh and Southend to help extinguish the fire in sections.

Crews have extinguished the fire in the building and extinguished four lorry fires. 

Firefighters were called to a fire in Priory Close, St Osyth at 7:30am. 

On arrival, crews reported a chalet bungalow was heavily smoke logged. 

Firefighters extinguished the fire by 8am. 

An investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire. 

Following a fire investigation, the cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental and caused by a portable heater.

Station Manager Nick Singleton said: “We’re sad to report a man has died and our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. 

Firefighters were called to a fire in a derelict building in Park Court. Harlow at 4pm.

On arrival, crews reported a derelict building was on fire.

Crews used an Aerial Ladder Platform to extinguish the fire from above while firefighters worked to tackle the fire from the ground. 

Firefighters extinguished the fire by 6:48pm and believe it was started deliberately. 

Firefighters were called to a flat fire in Baxter Avenue, Southend at 11:42am.

On arrival, crews reported a first floor flat was on fire and heavily smoke logged. 

Crews wearing Breathing Apparatus entered the flat to extinguish the fire. 

Sadly a man died at the scene.

Following a fire investigation, the cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental and caused by a lit cigarette. 

Station Manager Rick Williams said: “We’re sad to report a man has died and our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones.