Crews have issued safety advice after a fire at a flat in Thurrock.

We were called to Draper Close today (Sunday 30 March) at 11.21am and crews from Grays (two) and Rayleigh Weir attended.

A neighbour had spotted smoke coming from a second floor balcony and called 999.

Crew Manager Edwards said: "Smoke had filled the flat and crews found a wooden balcony alight. Thanks to the neighbour's actions, we were on scene very quickly; crews led a man to safety and extinguished the fire before it took hold inside the flat.

Update Saturday 29 March - 1.30am

The fire has been extinguished and the number of crews at the scene will be significantly reduced over the next few hours.

The fire affected 25% of the building.

Area Manager Dan Partridge said: "We are grateful that the building was evacuated so efficiently, and no-one suffered any injuries.

"I would like to praise crews for their hard work in getting the fire under control so quickly.

Update 25 March

Watch Manager Darren Hockley said: "A fire investigation has been carried out and we believe the cause was most likely a lithium ion battery which had been disposed of incorrectly. 

"I'd like to stress the importance of disposing of your lithium ion batteries properly, not in a skip or with domestic household waste.  Always check with your local authority for suitable battery recycling arrangements in your area."

Crews have been working to extinguish approximately 35 tonnes of waste.

Firefighters were called to a flat fire on the 2nd floor of a high rise building in Southend last night. 

Crews entered the flat and extinguished the fire.

Firefighters rescued one casualty who was suffering from smoke inhalation. 

Station Manager Jason Gould said: "We believe the fire started in the kitchen. It's really important to keep your hobs, ovens and grills clean as a build-up of fat and grease can ignite a fire. 

Firefighters worked with crews from Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service at a thatched roof fire in Birdbrook today. 

Eight crews from Halstead, Wethersfield, Saffron Walden, Dunmow and Suffolk FRS’ Clare and Haverhill were called to a thatched roof fire in Finkle Green, Birdbrook at 9:11am. 

On arrival, crews reported the thatched roof of a cottage was 100% alight.

Firefighters worked together to remove the thatch from the roof and extinguished the fire in sections. 

Firefighters were called to a roof fire in Galley Hill Road, Waltham Abbey at 10:34pm last night.

On arrival, crews reported that the roof of a bungalow was 100% alight.

Crews from Harlow and Loughton worked alongside crews from Herfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Cheshunt crews and London Fire Brigade’s Enfield crew to extinguish the fire in sections. 

Two people had escaped the property before crews arrived and firefighters worked together to rescue one woman. 

All three occupants were left in the care of the Ambulance Service.