Firefighters were called to reports of smoke coming from a first floor flat window in Grays. 

When firefighters arrived, they found the flat full of smoke and the hob was alight in the kitchen. The occupant had fallen asleep and was not aware of the fire until firefighters found him asleep in his bed.

The flat did not have any working smoke alarms.

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire at a derelict industrial site in Braintree this evening.

When fire crews arrived they reported a derelict caravan and large pile of rubbish was alight. Crews found that the fire also possibly involved a number of cylinders so called for support from additional fire crews. Fire crews used the water from a nearby lake to extinguish the fire.

Around 20 firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.

Firefighters believe the fire was started deliberately.

Firefighters were called to the scene of a huge fire involved approx. 700 cars at a salvage car auction yard in Rochford.

Update 10:45pm - There's currently around 60 firefighters at the scene tacking the fire. Nearby residents are being advised to close their windows.

UPDATE 8.30AM (Friday 11 August)

Crews left the scene at 1am and revisited today at 8am.

An investigation has been carried out but the exact cause of the fire could not be established.

UPDATE 11PM

Crews have extinguished the fire and are dealing with hotspots.

Group Manager Marc Diggory said: "We believe the fire started in a bedroom on the top floor of the three-storey property and crews did a fantastic job of stopping it from spreading.

Crews rescued eight dogs following a kitchen fire in Harlow.

We were called to a two-storey house in Torkildsen Way yesterday at 8.16pm.

Neighbours called 999 after they heard an alarm and saw smoke coming from the property. Two crews from Harlow attended.

Crew Manager Catherine Smith said: "As soon as crews opened the door, a number of dogs ran out. They were very panicked but crews managed to catch most of them.

Firefighters rescued a woman following a road traffic collision in Warley.

We were called to The Avenue, at the junction with Eagle Way, today at 6.16pm.

Two cars were involved in a collision and a woman was trapped in one of the vehicles. 

Two crews from Brentwood attended and used specialist cutting equipment to release the casualty by 7.11pm. They left her in the care of the Ambulance Service.

A family were alerted to a fire in their kitchen thanks to a smoke alarm.

We were called to a two-storey house in Warley Hill, Great Warley yesterday (Friday 4 August) at 2.49pm.

Crews from Brentwood and Basildon attended and found a washing machine alight. They fully extinguished the fire by 3.22pm.

Watch Manager Mark Elsey said: "This incident highlights the importance of having a working smoke alarm on every floor.

"Thanks to the early warning, the family were able to get out safely and call 999.

Firefighters rescued a man and a dog who were trapped in the water in Mistley Quay on Wednesday night. 

The man had been trying to dock but due to poor weather conditions, the boat was thrown off course. 

On arrival, crews found a boat that was wedged in between a bigger ship and the dock. Due to the tide being low the boat was approximately 12ft down from the dock. 

Crews worked hard to rescue the man and his dog by 21.43pm. 

Firefighters were called to a large field fire in Margaretting this afternoon. 

Crews were called to a field near Main Road, Margaretting at 3:15pm. 

On arrival, crews reported that approximately 10 hectares of stubble was on fire with smoke spreading towards a railway line. 

Firefighters worked with a local farmer to create a fire break and extinguished the fire by 4:04pm.