UPDATE Wednesday 30 August 11:50am 

Crews revisited the scene this morning. A fire investigation was carried out and the cause of the fire was accidental. 

UPDATE 9:20pm 

The fire is now completely under control and crews expect to stay on the scene for some time to make sure the fire is completely extinguished and the area is safe. 

Officers will carry out an investigation into the cause as soon as possible. 

Crews were called to a building in Southend this evening after reports of a fire in an end-terrace derelict property. 

On arrival firefighters reported that two properties in the row were affected by the fire. 

Station Manager Dave Walpole said:

"Our firefighters tackled the fire from both inside and outside, including using an aerial ladder platform to make sure there were no remaining hotspots on the roof.

"Thanks to the hard work and skill of our crews, the fire was under control quickly and did not spread any further."

Crews were called to a road traffic collision where a car had overturned and was on its roof. 

On arrival firefighters reported one person was trapped inside and worked to release them by 3.06pm.

Crews were called to Main Road, Great Waltham, after reports that a car was in a ditch. 

On arrival firefighters reported that one woman was trapped inside the vehicle and worked to release her by 10.46pm. 

The casualty was left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

Firefighters were called to a shed fire in Osborne Close, Clacton at 2:05pm. 

On arrival, crews reported that a shed was on fire and was starting to spread to a nearby bungalow. 

Firefighters rescued an elderly woman from the bungalow and extinguished the fire by 2:45pm. 

Crews believe the fire was caused by a weed burner that had not fully cooled down before being put in the shed.

Firefighters were called to a road traffic collision on the M25 between Junction 30 and 31 at 10:30am.

On arrival, crews reported that two lorries and two cars had collided. 

Firefighters worked to rescue two people who were trapped in their cars by 11:45am. 

Both casualties were left in the care of the Ambulance Service. 

Firefighters are highlighting the importance of working smoke alarms after a man was woken up during a flat fire by his smoke alarms. 

Crews were called to Old Road, Clacton at 3:43am to reports of a flat fire. 

On arrival, crews reported the flat was 100% smoke logged and the smoke alarms were going off. Firefighters wearing Breathing Apparatus entered the flat and found a pan on fire in the kitchen. 

Crews worked to prevent the fire spreading to neighbouring flats. 

Firefighters were called to a tractor fire in Parsonage Farm Lane, Great Sampford at 2:48pm. 

On arrival, crews reported that a tractor and a hay baler were on fire. The fire was starting to spread to the stubble fields. 

Crews worked with the farmer to extinguish the fire by 4:20pm. 

Station Manager Lee Hurst said: “A big thank you to the farmer on scene who acted quickly to get a water bowser to us. We had a limited water supply and it was great to work with the farmer to extinguish the fire and prevent it spreading further.”

Firefighters were called to a flat fire in Lushes Road, Loughton at 7:58pm last night. 

On arrival, crews reported that a first floor flat was heavily smoke logged. 

Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and isolate the gas supply.