Crews fitted smoke alarms in two homes in Copford after extinguishing chimney fires.

We were called to a semi-detached bungalow in Rectory Road yesterday (Sunday) at 9.18pm.

Firefighters from Colchester extinguished the fire, using chimney rods, and fitted a smoke alarm after finding the property did not have one.

One their way back to the station, at 10.13pm, they spotted a chimney fire at a semi-detached house in London Road.

Firefighters were called to the scene of a fire on the 8th floor of a high rise building in Chichester Road, Southend. 

Five crews have extinguished a fire in a communal area on the 8th floor. Firefighters are currently working to investigate the cause of the fire.

Crews had to force their way into an empty house last night after the resident left cooking on the hob and went out. 

Firefighters were called to the end of terrace property at 8.18pm after a neighbour heard the smoke alarm going off, and after realising they could see smoke, called 999.

When firefighters arrived they reported the house was completely smoke logged and there were pans on the hob that had caught alight.

Crews worked quickly to dispose of the pans, disconnect the gas supply and ventilate the whole property. 

Firefighters were called to a fire at a salvage yard near Brickfields Way, Rochford at 8.47pm. 

Crews from Rochford, Southend and Leigh attended. They reported on arrival that 8 cars were fully alight. 

Firefighters worked hard to contain the fire quickly and prevent it spreading further.

Temporary Watch Manager Steven Gabriel said: "Firefighters have done an excellent job to contain the fire to stop it from spreading to surrounding areas. 

Firefighters are warning residents to keep their hobs clear following a kitchen fire in Corringham this morning. 

When crews arrived, the kitchen was full of smoke. They used hose reel jets to quickly extinguish the fire and ventilated the property. 

Watch Manager Rob Fossett said: “We are urging residents to keep their hobs and ovens completely clear. This morning we were called out to a kitchen fire which started after items were left on top of the hob. It had been turned on accidentally by the family's dog.