Crews were called to a flat in Dudley Close, Grays last night when an immersion heater caused a fire in an airing cupboard.

Firefighters were called to a flat in Grays at 10:51pm, when the the smoke alarm sounded, alerting the occupant to a fire in his home.

On arrival, crews confirmed that there was a small fire, contained within the airing cupboard and the property was smoke full of smoke.

Firefighters from Grays worked quickly to extinguish the fire by 11:42pm.

Firefighters were called to a property in Loughton in the early hours of the morning, after a portable heater caused a bed to catch fire.

Crews were called to Abbess Terrace, Loughton, at 2:11am this morning when a child was woken by a fire in the bed, and alerted their parents.

On arrival, firefighters confirmed the fire had been caused by a portable heater in the bedroom.

Watch Manager at Loughton Fire Station, Marc Lemon, said: “Even on lower settings, portable heaters left too close to flammable objects or materials can catch alight.

Crews rescued a man following a fire in a ground floor flat in Harlow.

Firefighters were called to Rundells today at 12.42pm. A small fire had caused the ground floor flat to fill with smoke and the heat had caused a number of windows to break.

It is believed the fire was caused by discarded smoking materials which ignited.

Crew Manager Daniel Finch said: "The Breathing Apparatus team did a fantastic job in locating the casualty and carrying him out of the property - it undoubtedly saved his life.

Firefighters rescued a horse which was stuck in a ditch.

Crews were called to Marsh Road, Burnham today at 1.35pm after a rider tried to cross a dyke but his horse got trapped.

Station Manager Syd Barrett said: "Three of the horse's legs were trapped and the silt and water was up to its stomach.

"When the Animal Rescue Unit arrived, two firefighters got into the water and set up the lifting equipment.

Firefighters were called to a chimney fire in Wivenhoe last night.

On arrival, crews reported that there was a fire within a chimney of a semi-detached house.

Firefighters used a stirrup pump, chimney rods and water to extinguish the fire while using an Aerial Ladder Platform from Colchester to inspect the chimney and roof. The fire was extinguished by 1:20am.

The fire was contained to the chimney and firefighters worked to prevent any damage to the rest of the property.

Firefighters were called to a fire in a high rise building earlier today after an electrical fault in a communal bin area caused a fire.

On arrival, crews reported that a bin area on the ground floor was heavily smoke logged causing the smoke to rise up the bin chute throughout the building.

Crews extinguished the fire by 12:19pm.

The bin area was left smoke damaged.

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Firefighters rescued a man following a road traffic collision involving one vehicle in Little Warley.

Crews from Brentwood and Basildon attended Magpie Lane today at 6.15pm after we were contacted by Essex Police.

Firefighters used specialist hydraulic equipment to release a man. He was left in the care of the Ambulance Service at 7.30pm.

Firefighters were called to a garage fire in Clacton earlier today.

On arrival, crews reported that a garage attached to a property was heavily smoke logged.

Firefighters in Breathing Apparatus entered the garage to extinguish the fire which contained a small amount of petrol as well as some recycling.

Crews extinguished the fire by 2:07pm. The cause of the fire was recorded as accidental or deliberate, both possibilities.

Rubbish can act as a fuel to fire, follow our advice on storing rubbish to help prevent a fire spreading:

Firefighters were called to a chimney fire in Great Dunmow earlier today.

Crews used chimney rods and a stirrup pump to extinguish the fire by 4:55pm.

Most chimney fires are preventable. Regular inspection and cleaning of chimney flues will help prevent fires within chimneys. Keep your family and home safe by following our chimney safety advice:

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire at a commercial premises in Basildon in the early hours of Friday morning.

On arrival, crews confirmed that the property, which is two storeys and approximately 30 metres by 40 metres, was alight. One of the floors was completely smoke logged.

Firefighters requested the support of an Aerial Ladder Platform - which allowed them to monitor the incident from above - to help them to contain the fire more quickly.

The fire was extinguished by 4am.