Firefighters have warned Essex residents not to attempt to extinguish an oil fire with water or a damp tea towel, following a kitchen fire in Laindon.

The homeowner was using a frying pan on a hob earlier this evening when it caught fire. The homeowner then poured water on it in an attempt to extinguish the fire, but instead it caused the flames to expand immediately. 

Watch Manager Darryl Worster, Basildon Fire Station, said: 

"It's really scary to see how quickly a small fire can engulf a kitchen when water is added to it. 

Firefighters were called to a field fire near Pudsey Hall Lane, Canewdon at 1:35pm.

On arrival, crews from Rochford and Hawkwell reported approximately seven hectares of crop was on fire. 

With winds in the area helping the fire to spread rapidly, crews requested the help of crews from Rayleigh and Southend as well as an off-road vehicle from Billericay. 

Crews worked together to extinguish the fire by 2:40pm. The cause was accidental. 

Firefighters from Weeley extinguished a fire on Jaywick beach earlier today. 

On arrival, crews reported that an area measuring approximately 20 metres of long grass and bushes were alight on the beach. 

Crews worked to prevent the fire spreading and extinguished it by 6.05pm. 

Crew Manager Kristian Butcher said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to the members of public who helped us during the incident, they helped reel out the hoses and supplied us with cold drinks. 

Firefighters worked to extinguish 15 separate grass fires that were set deliberately alongside a railway line in Stanford-le-Hope this afternoon. 

Four crews were called to Mucking Wharf Road, Stanford-le-Hope at 3:30pm. A fifth crew from Billericay Fire Station along with an off-road vehicle was also called to help.

A series of fires had been deliberately started on grass verges alongside a railway line. Trains were stopped for one hour while crews dealt with the fire. 

Firefighters believe this fire was started deliberately. 

Firefighters were called to a garden fire in Baddow Road, Chelmsford at 12:51pm. 

On arrival, two crews from Chelmsford reported a garden fire was affecting two sheds, a number of fence panels and the outside of a house. 

Firefighters worked to prevent the fire spreading and extinguished it by 1:38pm. 

Crews believe the fire was caused when glass bottles in the garden heated up in the sun. 

Two sheds and a number of fence panels were badly damaged and the exterior of a house was damaged. 

Firefighters rescued Sophie, a 35-year-old horse, after she was struggling to get up in a field in Romford. 

Specially trained animal rescue crews were called to the scene at 5:05pm and got to work moving Sophie so she could be lifted up using our animal rescue hi-ab.

Crews worked alongside a vet using the hi-ab to help Sophie back on her feet by 7:30pm. 

Firefighters were called to a field fire near Godman Road in Chadwell St Mary at 4:35pm. 

On arrival, crews reported an area of approximately 150 metres by 30 metres of crop and bushes was on fire. 

Six crews and two off-road vehicles from Billericay and Hawkell worked alongside local farmers to create a fire break and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby garages and surrounding fields.

Firefighters extinguished the fire by 6:05pm. The cause of the fire could not be determined. 

Firefighters rescued a woman and two dogs after they fell from a cliff edge near Heron Way, Thurrock when walking. 

Crews were called to the scene at 7:17pm and worked alongside ambulance and police colleagues to rescue the woman. 

Five crews worked together with paramedics to cut down brambles and debris to reach the woman and safely rescue her using a stretcher. She was left in the care of the Ambulance Service. 

Crews also worked to rescue two dogs at the scene. 

Firefighters worked to make the scene safe before leaving at midnight.

Firefighters have been working to extinguish a fire affecting two properties in Generals Lane, Boreham this evening. 

Four crews worked to extinguish the fire affecting two properties and worked to prevent it spreading to other buildings in the area.

Both buildings were badly damaged in the fire. 

An investigation will take place tomorrow to determine the cause of the fire. 

Three crews currently remain at the scene monitoring hotspots and cooling the scene.

Update 4:30pm

Crews have extinguished the fire in Beach Way, Clacton. 

One crew will remain on scene dampening the area and monitoring hotspots. 

Three houses have been badly damaged in the fire and seven other properties have been left with smoke and heat damage.

An investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the fire. 

Station Manager Karl Amoss said: “Thank you to everyone for your patience while we have been dealing with this incident.