Firefighters were called to a water rescue near Chiltern Close, Colchester this afternoon. 

A member of the public rang our Control Room after they spotted a couple that had gotten stuck in mud in the river’s flood plain. 

Crews from Colchester sent Water Rescue Technicians to help free the pair. 

Watch Manger Ian Ryder said: “When we arrived we could see that the pair were stuck in really deep mud in the river’s flood plain. We used a mud rescue path to get them both back to safety. 

Firefighters were called to a fire near Cattawade End, Basildon at 3.36pm this afternoon. 

When crews arrived, they found a fire in the kitchen, which had been caused by a pan which was left on the hob unattended. 

The kitchen was fully smoke logged and firefighters used Breathing Apparatus to enter the property. 

Crew Manager, Phil Pitts-Webster said: “Crews did a great job to extinguish the fire quickly. It’s important to take care when cooking, if you need to leave the kitchen take the pans off the heat and never leave cooking unattended.

Firefighters rescued a deer after it got trapped in a fence this morning.

A crew from Clacton used hydraulic spreaders to carefully free the deer from the metal railings. 

After giving it a check over, the animal was unharmed and trotted off after being freed. 

Firefighters were called to an incident in Weybourne Close, Southend on Sea at 6:43pm last night. 

When crews arrived, they found a fire in the utility room which had been caused by an overheated tumble dryer. 

Crew Manager Ricky Jones said: “It’s important to make sure you take extra care when using tumble dryers. In this case the residents had left the room without proper ventilation causing it to overheat and set alight to items left on top of the dryer. 

Crews were called to a semi-detached house after reports that lightning had struck a house. 

On arrival firefighters reported that approximately 40% of the roof was on fire.

Watch Manager Keith Ray, Loughton Fire Station, said:

"The residents said the sound was unbelievable and similar to what they thought a bomb would sound like. They immediately went to find out what was going on and realised their roof was on fire.

"Our crews worked really quickly to extinguish the fire and did a great job of stopping it spreading and limiting the damage."

Firefighters are giving bonfire safety advice after embers from a bonfire destroyed a yard in Wethersfield overnight.

Crews were called to Beazley End, Wethersfield at 6:36am when the landowner spotted the fire. On arrival, crews reported that a yard was on fire with a lorry trailer, motorbike and skip alight.

Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and believe it was caused by embers from a bonfire held the night before.

Crews were called to a commercial building in Harlow after reports of a fire in a building. 

Watch Manager Steve Allan, Harlow Fire Station, said:

"When we arrived we were faced with smoke coming from both the windows and roof. Inside, the building was 100% smoke logged and there was a fire on both the first and second floors. 

"There were multiple trip hazards and items to manoeuvre around inside the building, but our firefighters did a fantastic job of working together to surround and extinguish the fire."