Bonfire spreads to outbuilding

Crews have issued safety advice after a bonfire spread to an outbuilding and fence.

Firefighters were called to Bournemouth Park Road, Southend yesterday (Monday) at 8.30pm after a passer-by spotted a fire in a garden.

Southend's crews were quickly on the scene and extinguished the fire before it took hold, with damage limited to a shed and fence being scorched.

Watch Manager Dan Hart said: "The bonfire was too large to safely control and the windy conditions meant it spread even more quickly. 

Dishwasher fire - no working smoke alarms

Firefighters have given advice not to use appliances like dishwashers and washing machines overnight or while out of the house after they rescued a cat following a dishwasher fire in Ashingdon.

On arrival, crews reported that a three storey house was heavily smoke logged and found a fire surrounding a dishwasher in the kitchen.

Crews extinguished the fire by 11:23am and rescued a cat while ventilating the property. The cat was left in the care of a vet.

While at the address, firefighters fitted three smoke alarms as the resident had no working smoke alarms.

Garage fire

Crews were called to a garage fire in Layer Marney this afternoon. 

On arrival, firefighters reported that the fire had quickly spread from the garage to an outbuilding.

Incident Commander Dan Partridge said:

"Tiptree's crew arrived at the scene first and worked hard to stop the fire from spreading. 

"The garage contained two cars as well as LPG cylinders and an LPG bullet tank, but thanks to the quick action of the crew, the scene was made safe to tackle the fire." 

PHOTOS: Calf rescued from water

Firefighters waded into the water today to rescue a calf that was tangled in the undergrowth of the River Stour in Dedham.

Swift Water Rescue trained firefighters from Colchester and our Animal Rescue Unit from Chelmsford were called to rescue the calf after it had gone for a dip and was unable to get back out.

Firefighters were able to cut away at tree branches under the water to free the calf and lead it to safety by 10:20am.

The calf was left in the care of a farmer.

Road traffic collision

Firefighters were called to assist at the scene of a road traffic collision involving two vehicles on the A12 between junction 24-25 (Kelvedon to Marks Tey).

Fire crews worked with paramedics to help rescue one casualty trapped in their vehicle.

The casualty was released by 12:55pm and left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

Garage fire

Crews extinguished a garage fire in Chadwell St Mary this morning.

Three crews, from Orsett, Grays and Corringham, attended River View at 3.56am and found a garage at the rear of the property completely alight.

The fire spread quickly due to books, tools, clothes and flammable liquids, such as paint thinners, varnish and creosote, being stored in the garage.

Crews worked hard to completely extinguish the fire by 5.20am.

The cause has been recorded as accidental; it is believed an electrical appliance overheated.

Road traffic collision: two casualties freed

Firefighters freed two casualties following a road traffic collision in Manningtree today.

We were called by Essex Police to a collision involving a single vehicle in the town's High Street at 11.42am.

Crews from Manningtree and Colchester attended and found two people trapped in a 4x4. 

They used specialist equipment, including electric saws and hydraulic lifting equipment, to free the casualties at 12.38pm and left them in the care of the Ambulance Service.


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