Firefighters from Loughton and London Fire Brigade Hainault were called to a fire in the kitchen near Limes Avenue, Chigwell this afternoon. 

When crews arrived they confirmed that there was a significant fire which was out on arrival. The fire was caused by oil overheating in a chip pan which set alight.

Watch Manager Glenn Jackson said: “When the chip pan set alight the resident tried to tackle the fire themselves using a dog bed and then water. This made the fire worse which unfortunately caused the resident to suffer minor burns and smoke inhalation. 

Firefighters are highlighting why it’s so important to have working smoke alarms at home after a couple and their dog safely escaped a flat fire in Southend today.

Crews were called to Lonsdale Road, Southend at 1:08pm and reported a ground floor flat was heavily smoke logged. 

Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and believe it was caused by an incense stick that caught a nearby suitcase alight. 

Update 5.50pm

The cause of the fire could not be determined. 

Firefighters were called to Lakeside Shopping Centre, Thurrock at 2.52pm after reports of a fire in the roof of a multi-story car park. 

Grays, Corringham and Brentwood were sent to the incident. On arrival, they confirmed it was a fire in the stairwell of the roof. 

Crews extinguished the fire by 3.25pm.

Update Monday 9am 

The fire was started accidentally from hot work from machinery on site.

Firefighters are currently tackling a fire affecting a large pile of rubbish in Burnt Mills Industrial Estate, Basildon. 

It is a large pile of household waste, approximately 10m by 5m high which is on fire. If you are in the nearby area please keep all your windows and doors shut. 

Crews were called to a fire in Wivenhoe last night, when a toaster caught alight set fire to the kitchen cabinets. 

When crews arrived, they confirmed that the kitchen was full of smoke.

Firefighters from Wivenhoe and Colchester worked quickly together to extinguish the fire by 9:26pm.

Watch Manager Alex Hough said: “The crews did a great job to contain the fire and prevent additional damage to the property.

Firefighters are urging people to make sure they have working smoke alarms after a couple's lives were saved by theirs.

Crews were called to a detached two-storey house in Basildon during the early hours of this morning after the homeowners called 999 to report a large fire on the ground floor of their home. Thankfully their smoke alarms had woken them up. 

As crews made their way to the house a neighbour used a ladder to rescue the couple and their dog from an upstairs window.