Firefighters were called to the scene of an industrial unit fire in Gardiners Lane South, Basildon, this afternoon. 

Crews were called at 1:36pm to reports of a fire in an industrial unit. 

At its height, eight fire appliances, including a Aerial Ladder Platform, were on scene, with firefighters extinguishing the fire in sections. Firefighters worked to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring units.

Firefighters are currently at the scene of a large haystack on fire in Butterfield Chase, Latchingdon. 

If you are in the area, please keep all your windows and doors closed as there is smoke coming from the fire. 

Watch Manager Gary Bannister said: "We are carrying out a controlled burn on the haystack as this is the safest and most effective way to deal with this kind of incident. Crews will be handing the scene over to the owner but will be returning throughout the day to monitor the fire. 

A house in Southend has been left with significant fire and smoke damage after a charger caught alight. 

Crews were called to the terraced property in Prittlewell Square after a passer-by noticed flames inside the house. 

When firefighters arrived they were faced with a well developed fire in the kitchen and reported that the three-storey house was heavily smoke logged. The homeowner was out at the time. 

Watch Manager Mark Petty-Mayor, Southend Fire Station, said:

UPDATE 2.50PM

The fire is now out and crews will remain at the scene for some time to monitor hotspots. 

27 residents have been safely evacuated and are being looked after by our blue light partners and care home staff. 

Group Manager Danny Partridge said: "Crews have worked extremely hard to extinguish the fire, and to stop it from spreading further. Unfortunately, parts of care home have suffered from smoke damage. 

Crews have issued safety advice after an e-bike on charge caused a flat fire in Chelmsford.

We were called to Gloucester Avenue today at 1.13pm and two crews from Chelmsford attended.

Watch Manager Andy Edwards said: "Neighbours heard a loud bang and saw sparks coming out of the front door.

"Crews found the entire ground floor of the flat on fire and did really well to get the fire under control so quickly.

"Thankfully the occupants noticed the fire quickly and were able to get out unharmed but it could have been a very different story.

Crews were called to The Strood, West Mersea, after a car became trapped in rising floodwater. 

Swift Water Rescue trained firefighters rescued one person by 1.25pm. Four vehicles have also been abandoned and are waiting for road recovery. 

Watch Manager Gary Clarke said: “With school holidays and the warmer weather approaching, we’re urging people to plan your journeys before you travel. Check the tide times and not to take any risks, wait for the tide to go back out. 

A resident has been praised for alerting us to a roof fire on Sunday evening.

Our Control Room received a call from a worried resident after they had seen smoke coming from a roof near Spital Road, Maldon. 

Crews from Maldon (two), Chelmsford and an Aerial Ladder platform were sent to the incident. 

When firefighters arrived they found the roof of the building was alight. 

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of having an escape plan in case of a fire after a cottage fire last night. 

Crews were called to Crow Hall Lane, Bradfield at 9:47pm after the resident heard his smoke alarms going off. 

He opened his bedroom door and was confronted by smoke coming from downstairs. He acted quickly to shut a bedroom door, put a towel along the bottom and climb out of an upstairs window onto the flat roof of the property to safety.