Firefighters were called to a three-storey town house in Colchester after a neighbour heard a smoke alarm sounding and dialled 999.

As it was initially unclear whether anyone was inside, firefighters treated the incident as a potential rescue.

On arrival, crews quickly carried out a thorough search of the house and confirmed it was empty.

The fire, located in a third-floor bedroom, was swiftly surrounded and extinguished by crews. The third floor has sustained both fire and smoke damage.

The cause of the fire has been recorded as deliberate.

Update 5.15pm

Group Manager Dan Wastell said:

"Firefighters have gained access to the area and have done a great job in surrounding the fire, which is now under control. Crews are tackling the fire from the ground and we are also using a drone to monitor the area from above.

"We expect to remain on scene for another hour or so to make sure the fire is fully extinguished and the area is safe."

Firefighters have been called to a fire in the roof of a four storey residential block of flats in Westcliff on Sea.

Update 1:25pm - Firefighters at the scene reported that the fire is affecting the whole of the roof. Crews have surrounded the building and are working to tackle the fire. If you live nearby, please close your doors and windows due to the smoke.

Firefighters were called to a fire in an industrial building in Harlow.

When fire crews arrived they confirmed that there was a fire affecting the roof space of the building.

Firefighters used an aerial ladder platform (ALP) to pour water onto the fire from above. Crews also prioritised protecting the adjoining units to stop the fire spreading.

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

Firefighters from Grays, Orsett and Corringham were called to a fire in the garden which had spread to a house in Tilbury. 

Station Manager Adam Barber said: "When crews arrived, the fire had started spreading from the garden to the roof of the semi-detached property." 

Firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire and stopped it spreading to the neighbouring property.

Unfortunately, the whole house has been damaged by the fire, and will is now not habitable.

An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.

The fire was fully extinguished by 7pm. An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause.

Update 5pm

After the electricity supply was isolated, crews were able to extinguish the substation fire at 4.06pm.

The fire spread to a derelict building and crews are continuing to tackle the fire.

Crews from Great Baddow, Leaden Roding, Ongar and Tiptree are replacing the crews that initially attended.

Please continue to keep doors and windows closed and avoid the area.

Crews have issued safety advice after a bonfire set a storage unit alight in Canvey.

We were called to Northwick Road yesterday (Friday) at 6.52pm and crews from Canvey, Southend and Rayleigh Weir attended, along with a Water Bowser, to supply high quantities of water, from Corringham.

A bonfire burnt out of control, with high winds fanning the flames, and set fire to a storage container, measuring around 15 metres by 40 metres.

Crews prevented the fire from destroying nearby cattle stables and extinguished it by 8.24pm.