Latest news with #EssexFireService
BBC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Colchester fire near Mersea Road creates 'challenging conditions'
Firefighters battled "challenging conditions" after flames spread over a Essex fire service said it received more than 45 calls about the blaze as smoke could be seen across crews attended the scene in Mersea Road at 15:21 BST and used a drone to plan their manager Dan Wastell said they did a "great job" to get the fire under control, with an investigation into its cause to follow. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Westcliff-on-Sea fire breaks out inside roof of four-storey flats
A four-storey block of flats has been "badly damaged" after its roof caught fire broke out at Osbourne House in Imperial Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, at 12:12 BST on Tuesday."The roof of the building is badly damaged, as well as a number of flats," said the Essex fire service, adding the blaze was "under control".People have been urged to close their doors and windows due to smoke in the area. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Harlow MP's concern over homes built in converted office blocks
Questions must be asked about the suitability of housing people in converted office blocks, an MP followed 23 families becoming the latest to be evacuated from their flats in Harlow, Essex, over fire concerns on lived in one of 12 former office blocks that were transformed into 1,000 homes in the town under permitted development MP Chris Vince said it was "absolutely a concern" that more people could lose their homes due to the "quick fix" builds. A resident living in Redstone House told the BBC he felt "so destroyed" after being told to leave on Thursday, after a prohibition notice was June 2024, the Essex fire service said there was a "threat to life" in Joseph Rank House and ordered people living in 44 flats to vacate were both converted under permitted development rights, which grant powers to turn offices into residential premises without planning permission. "It would be fair to question whether these developments were really suitable, particularly for families," Vince said."Part of the problem in Harlow is a lot of them were built at the same time, so now they're all falling apart at the same time."I wouldn't describe it as a ticking time bomb, but it's something we need to monitor and be aware of." 'Quick fixes' The MP said he feared some families had been let down over promises made about the BBC previously reported some families had to eat, drink and sleep in their beds in Terminus House due to cramped living continued: "There is a bigger question here about the suitability of some office block conversions."He said the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex had assured him the town's large developments were regularly monitored."There is absolutely a concern something like this could happen again," Vince added."The answer is we need to build proper, purpose-built houses, rather than these quick fixes, in order to tackle the housing crisis." Vince's concerns are similar to those raised by his Conservative predecessor, Robert Halfon, who said Harlow was a "prime location" for this he suggested the town had experienced an "influx" of people, mostly from London, and the outcome had been "catastrophic"."The 'rabbit-hutch' housing developments have become a hive of criminal activity and drug abuse, placing huge pressures on our local police, A&E and social services," Halfon said in have been offering reassurances to people living in high-rise blocks in Harlow since the latest incident at Redstone manager Dave Bond said he wanted people to know their safety was his "top priority"."Our teams are going door-to-door in high-rise blocks in Harlow, making sure residents understand their building's evacuation plan, have working smoke alarms, and know how to book a free home safety visit," he Bond encouraged all residents to ask their landlord for an escape route if they were not aware of one. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woman rescued and two escape from roof fire
A woman has been rescued from a roof fire overnight. Essex County Fire & Rescue Service said the roof of the bungalow in Waltham Abbey was "100% alight" when they arrived when they were called at 22:34 GMT on Friday. Two people escaped from the property, on Galley Hill Road, before firefighters arrived from Harlow and Loughton, which colleagues from Cheshunt in Hertfordshire and Enfield in north London also sent. The fire service said all three occupants were left in the care of the ambulance service. An investigation is under way to find out what caused the incident. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Essex Fire Service East of England Ambulance Service
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Firefighters tackle caravan blaze near major road
Firefighters were called to a blaze involving several caravans near a major road. It broke out near the Sadlers Farm roundabout, Bowers Gifford, Basildon, at about 20:26 GMT on Tuesday. A spokesperson for Essex Fire Service said it had received over 45 calls because of the "significant" amount of smoke and the proximity of the incident to the A13. The fire was put out by 22:20. An fire investigation will begin when it is safe to do so. There were no reported injuries. Firefighters will remain on scene to make sure the area is cool. Crews from Basildon, Billericay. Rayleigh Weir and Wickford attended. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
