This afternoon, firefighters acted swiftly to contain a developing fire in Braintree, stopping it just inches from reaching a row of back gardens.

Crews worked incredibly hard to surround and prevent the fire from spreading to dozens of homes backing onto the field. Thanks to their quick action and the use of new wildfire tactics and equipment including specialist blowers recently introduced to the Service, the fire was brought under control before it could cause any damage to properties.

Crews have issued safety advice after a gas leak caused flats and businesses to be evacuated.

We were called to Moulsham Street, Chelmsford today (Friday 11 July) at 9.29am after a member of the public smelt gas.

Two crews from Chelmsford attended and found gas had been left on in a business premises.

Station Manager John Warmann said: "It appears the gas had been inadvertently left on overnight. Fortunately a member of the public smelt it and called 999.

"Crews evacuated five flats and two businesses, isolated the gas and ventilated the building.

Firefighters are giving bonfire safety advice after a bonfire spread to three gardens in Wormingford, Colchester today. 

Crews from Colchester were called to reports of a bonfire spreading out of control.

Station Manager Nick Singleton said: "When we arrived the bonfire had spread through some dry conifers, along hedgerow and into three gardens. 

Firefighters were called to a field fire near Stambridge Road, Rochford this afternoon. 

On arrival, crews from Rochford, Leigh, Southend and Hawkwell reported a large field of standing corn was on fire. 

Crews requested the help of Billericay’s off-road vehicle and Corringham’s Water Bowser to hep contain the fire and prevent it spreading.

Firefighters worked alongside a farmer using machinery and water from the farm to help extinguish the fire by 3:05pm. 

Crews extinguished a fire affecting containers at a farm in Billericay.

We were called to Blunts Wall Road today (Saturday 5 July) at 10.50am.

Crews from Basildon, Brentwood and Rayleigh Weir, and a water bowser from Corringham, to supply high volumes of water, attended.

Station Manager Howard Midwood said: "The containers were completely alight when crews arrived.

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire involving several farm buildings in Little Hallingbury.

On arrival, crews found the fire affecting a large open-sided barn, a wooden outbuilding, and a number of smaller buildings and containers.

Firefighters worked quickly to find a suitable water supply to tackle the fire. To support the effort, two Water Bowsers (large vehicles that carry significant amounts of water) were requested to assist at the scene.

Firefighters were called earlier today to a fire at a retirement village in Braintree involving a semi-detached bungalow.

The fire was well developed on arrival, but thanks to the swift and determined efforts of our crews, it was successfully contained. One bungalow has suffered devastating damage, and three neighbouring properties have been affected by heat and fire damage.

Update at 8am:

One crew from Saffron Walden is now at the scene dampening down. A fire investigation will take place today.

Update at 3.45am:

Crews continue to work hard and the fire is nearly out.

They are using an aerial ladder platform and a drone to deal with any hot spots. 

Hertfordshire firefighters have left the incident and three of our crews remain on scene.

Essex Police have set up a cordon. 

The roof of the building has collapsed.

Crews were called to a farm in Colchester this evening to deal with a fire affecting three derelict buildings.

Thanks to the firefighters quick and effective work, only one of the out buildings at the former pig farm ended up being lost.

They used breathing apparatus, the aerial ladder platform from Colchester and a water bowser during the incident and the fire was out by 7.30pm.

An investigation into the cause will take place.

Station Manager Paul Champ praised the professionalism of the crews who responded.

Firefighters saved an eight-week-old foal after it fell into a river on marshland in South Ockendon.

We were called by a member of the public who spotted the foal in Mardyke yesterday (Wednesday 2 July) at 3.26pm.

A crew from Grays attended and carried out a search, with assistance from our Urban Search and Rescue team using a drone.

The stricken foal was located at 4.56pm and a water rescue team from Chelmsford got it to safety by 6.10pm.