Essex crews tackle three large field fires in just one day
At 09:53 BST the service was called to reports that 37 acres (15 hectares) of standing crop was alight in Stifford Clays, Grays. At 15:38 it was called to a seven-acre (three hectares) fire on Amersham Court, Rayleigh, where one outbuilding was damaged. Crews were later called to Conrad Road, Witham, at 17:21, to put out a 74-acre (30 hectares) field fire.
Group manager Marc Diggory said crews in Rayleigh "worked hard to extinguish the fire and stop it from spreading to nearby properties". He confirmed it spread to one outbuilding but no-one was injured.
The recent warm weather had increased the risk of wildfires, the fire service said. It asked that people reduce the risk of further incidents by stubbing out cigarettes and disposing of them properly. It also asked people to avoid lighting campfires or barbecues in the countryside. "If you do, make sure they are fully extinguished before you dispose of them," the service said. "Never leave barbecues or bonfires unattended and discard your rubbish, especially glass bottles, responsibly."
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