Firefighters worked quickly to stop a fire from spreading in Harlow during the early hours of this morning. 

Crews were called at just after midnight, to reports of one first floor flat on fire and smoke in the two-storey building.

Initially two crews from Harlow, one from Old Harlow plus two from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service - Sawbridgeworth and Bishop Stortford - attended.

Many of the residents had left the building and crews helped others to evacuate. Firefighters used fans to ventilate the building and clear the smoke.

Firefighters rescued two kittens today after they found themselves in an impawsible position in a drain.

Crews were called to a potential cat-astrophe on Colet Crescent in Colchester at 4:24pm after two curious kittens had been exploring in a garden and ventured into a drain.

Firefighters used a camera to locate and rescue the pair by 6:12pm.

The kittens were unharmed during the incident and are back running around the garden.

Firefighters were called to a rubbish fire in Witham earlier today that spread to fence panels and two houses.

Crews were called to Hemingway Road, Witham at 4:11pm.

On arrival, firefighters reported that a rubbish fire had spread to fence panels, a house and was beginning to affect a neighbour's house.

Firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire and prevent it spreading further.

Crews extinguished the fire by 4:30pm and believe it was caused by a discarded cigarette

Firefighters were called to an outbuilding fire in Loughton at 1:33pm.

On arrival, crews reported an outbuilding attached to a house was on fire and was beginning to spread to two houses.

Crews worked quickly to prevent the fire spreading further and extinguished it by 2:21pm.

Firefighters believe it was caused by a discarded cigarette.

Firefighters are giving bonfire safety advice after embers from a bonfire caught decking alight in Shoebury last night.

Crews were called to a garden fire in Ashanti Close, Shoebury at 11:51pm.

On arrival, crews reported that an incinerator had caught decking alight and was starting to affect a house.

Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire and prevent it spreading to the house by 12:16am.

Firefighters are giving bonfire safety advice after embers from a bonfire caught a shed alight and spread to seven gardens in Wickford.

Five crews were called to Hereward Gardens at 11:56am where a number of fences panels, trees and sheds were on fire.

Crews worked quickly to prevent the fires from spreading to houses and extinguished the fire by 12:45pm.

Station Manager Jon Ford said: “Crews worked extremely hard to surround the fire and prevent it spreading further. I’d like to thank our control room for co-ordinating this incident.”

Firefighters were called to a field fire near the M11 in Chigwell earlier today.

Our Control Room sent four crews to the scene to contain the fire and prevent it spreading near the M11.

Firefighters extinguished the fire by 2pm.

Please avoid having bonfires in this hot and dry weather.

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Firefighters who attended this incident from Epping Fire Station are on-call firefighters, who live or work within 5 minutes of the station and are paid to protect their community.

Firefighters were called to a field fire in Southend earlier today.

On arrival, crews confirmed that a fire was affecting an area of grassland and trees measuring 200m x 200m.

Firefighters used water and beaters to extinguish the fire by 6:11pm.

Crews believe this fire may have been started deliberately.

Could you be a FireStopper?

FireStoppers is part of CrimeStoppers which focuses solely on preventing fires across the UK.

Update 5:30pm

Crews are working with site staff to make the scene safe after a tanker caught fire.

The fire is out and there is no immediate hazard to the wider community. Road closures are now being lifted.

Group Manager Danny Partridge, Incident Commander said: “Thank you to residents for their patience and keeping windows and doors closed in this hot weather and to the site staff for their help during this incident.”

Crews expect to remain on scene for the next area working to make the site safe.

Firefighters were called to a field fire near Roscommon Way in Canvey.

Eight crews worked to extinguish a fire affecting 10 hectares of scrubland.

Firefighters extinguished the fire by 4:24pm.

Crews were called to Roscommon Way on Canvey Island at 1:50pm.

On arrival, Firefighters confirmed 10 hectacres of scrubland was alight.

This is an on-going incident. The fire is surrounded and under control.

There are several road closures in place while we continue to tackle the fire. Please avoid the area if possible,