Firefighters are urging people not to set fires, especially during the dry weather.

Yesterday afternoon three crews were called to Gusted Hall Lane in Hawkwell to deal with a fire in the woodland.

People on dirt bikes were seen leaving the area before fire crews arrived.

Crew Manager Adam Paterson said: “This was just metres away from a standing crop field. Please don’t set fires deliberately, especially in these conditions.”

Our crews were called to a number of outdoor fires overnight across the county.

Update at 9.30pm

Essex Police have issued a statement which says:

A child has sadly died and another is in a critical condition in hospital following an incident at a park in Southend.

Shortly before 3pm on Saturday 28 June, it was reported a tree had partially collapsed In Chalkwell Park.

A number of children were caught beneath the tree and suffered injuries.

The park was busy with members of the public and many immediately went to their aid.

Officers, paramedics and firefighters were soon on the scene and provided care.

Firefighters visited homes in Orsett to offer home safety advice after they were called to a tumble dryer fire last night.

The residents had a working smoke alarm which detected the smoke and put out the small fire with an extinguisher.

Crews attended the scene to check the fire was fully out and give safety advice.

Crew Manager Dan Hare said: “It’s important to make sure you take extra care when using tumble dryers. In this case the residents were using the tumble dryer in a cupboard under the stairs causing it to overheat and set alight to items in the cupboard.

Update at 3pm:

Firefighters have been working hard in tough conditions and have contained the fire.

Crews used beaters, backpack sprayers, an off road vehicle and a drone camera to tackle the fire which covered two hectares.

Relief crews will remain at the scene to continue dampening down hotspots.

Glass bottles were found at the scene and are a reminder of how discarded rubbish can cause fires in dry and hot conditions.

Firefighters are currently at the scene of a warehouse fire on High Road, Epping. 

If you live in the area please close your windows and doors as there is a lot of smoke coming from the fire. If you are driving on the M11 you may see smoke, please slow down and drive carefully. 

It is a warehouse measuring approximately 100m by 30m, consisting of four units. With two units fully alight. 

The cause of the fire has been recorded as deliberate. 

Update 26 June 8am 

Firefighters remained on scene overnight to extinguish the fire and monitor any hotspots. 

Crews will be revisiting the site again this morning.

A fire investigation will be carried out into the cause when it is safe to do so. 

Firefighters are currently at the scene of a fire in a derelict building which was previously used as the Southend United FC training ground. 

Firefighters are giving bonfire safety advice after a bonfire spread to a fence and three sheds in Southend last night. 

Crews from Southend and Leigh were called to a garden fire at 2.50am. 

On arrival crews discovered a bonfire which was left unattended and spread to fence and three sheds. 

Firefighters have extinguished a bonfire which has was left unattended and spread to a field and hedges in Burnham. 

Crews used an off road vehicle and water bowser from Corringham to help extinguish the fire. 

Watch Manager Jon Vincent said: "If you're planning on having a bonfire or burning rubbish, please do not leave it unattended; it could quickly get out of control and spread rapidly.

"Make sure it is well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs. These fires are dangerous and are easily preventable."