http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk Essex County Fire and Rescue Service : News Feed Copyright 2021, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service. Wed, 01 Dec 202101:53:00 GMT Firefighters were called a car fire in Colchester in the early hours of this morning which spread to a caravan and a house. Crews were called to a car fire on a driveway in Gilderdale Close, Colchester where the fire had spread to a caravan and was beginning to spread to a house. Both the car and the caravan - which contained gas cylinders - were 100% alight. Crews worked to prevent the fire spreading to the house. Crews extinguished the fire by 2:39am and worked to cool the cylinders. An investigation into the cause of the fire will take place today. Could you be an on-call firefighter? Wivenhoe, Manningtree and Clacton Fire Station are recruiting on-call firefighters. On-call firefighters are people who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to attend incidents in their community. If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter. Find out more about the role at essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8910/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8910/ Wed, 01 Dec 2021 01:53:00 GMT Firefighters were called to a house fire in East Mersea just after midnight after the residents were woken up by their smoke alarms. On arrival, crews reported that a two-storey timber framed house was on fire and heavily smoke logged. The fire was starting to spread to a 1,800 litre heating oil tank and crews worked to prevent the fire spreading further. Firefighters extinguished the fire by 1:56am. An investigation into the cause of the fire will take place today. Do you have working smoke alarms in your home? The residents in this incident had working smoke alarms in their home that were going off when firefighters arrived. Smoke alarms save lives. They can alert your family as well as your neighbours and passers-by to a fire in your home if you're not in. We recommend you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and that you test them at least once a month. If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, please get in touch. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088. Could you be an on-call firefighter? Firefighters at West Mersea Fire Station are on-call firefighters, who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to attend incidents in their community. If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter. Find out more about the role at essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8909/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8909/ Wed, 01 Dec 2021 01:53:00 GMT Firefighters were called to a fire in Epping at 1:37pm today, when a machine caught fire in an industrial building. On arrival, crews confirmed that a wood-milling machine had caught fire, and that the fire was almost out. Firefighters worked quickly to ensure the fire was properly extinguished, then used thermal-imaging cameras to check that no further action was needed. Crews confirmed the fire was out by 2:15pm. Could you be an on-call firefighter? Firefighters at Epping Fire Station are on-call firefighters, who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to attend incidents. If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too. Find out more about the role at essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8908/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8908/ Tue, 30 Nov 2021 01:53:00 GMT Firefighters rescued a horse from a river in Grays this morning. The horse had slipped on an icy verge and fell into a river. Our Animal Rescue Unit from Chelmsford waded into the waist height water and guided the horse to the verge where crews and its owner lifted it to safety. The horse was left in the care of its owner. ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8907/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8907/ Mon, 29 Nov 2021 01:53:00 GMT Firefighters were called to a barn fire in Navestock in the early hours of this morning after we received several calls from drivers who could see the flames from the M25. Crews were called to a barn fire in Albyns Lane, Navestock at 3am. On arrival, crews were met with a large fire measuring approximately 20 metres by 40 metres and requested the use of a Water Bowser - a specialist vehicle used to carry large amounts of water - from Corringham Fire Station. Due to a high number of cylinders inside the barn, crews worked to cool the cylinders and tackle the fire from outside of the barn to prevent the fire spreading to nearby buildings. At 6:30am, the incident was scaled down to two crews from Corringham and Rochford Fire Station with firefighters damping down the fire. Crews extinguished the fire by 7:49am. The barn was completely destroyed in the fire. An investigation into the cause of the fire will be carried out later today. Could you be an on-call firefighter? Some of the firefighters at this incident are on-call firefighters, who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station. If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too. Find out more about the role at essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8906/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8906/ Mon, 29 Nov 2021 01:53:00 GMT Firefighters were called to a chimney fire in Ashdon last night when the residents heard their smoke alarms going off. On arrival, crews reported that there was a fire within a chimney of a house. Firefighters used chimney rods to extinguish the fire by 6:43pm. Most chimney fires are preventable. Regular inspection and cleaning of chimney flues will help prevent fires within chimneys. Keep your family and home safe by following our chimney safety advice: Have your chimney swept at least once a year, or more frequently if you burn wood Do not stack fires too high and remember to let them burn down well before you go to bed Use a fire or spark guard Do not place objects on or over the mantle-piece which may cause you to stand too close to the fire to reach or use them Inspect your chimney regularly - particularly in the roof space - to ensure that it is sound and that sparks or fumes cannot escape through cracks or broken bricks Avoid burning resinous woods as soot builds up quickly. Suitable seasoned timber must be used in all solid fuel stoves Buy only suitable fuels. Using the wrong type of fuel on a liner will reduce the life of the liner considerably due to increased corrosion Do you have working smoke alarms in your home? The residents in this incident had working smoke alarms in their home that were going off when firefighters arrived. Smoke alarms save lives. They can alert your family as well as your neighbours and passers-by to a fire in your home if you're not in. We recommend you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home and that you test them at least once a month. If you or someone you know doesn’t have working smoke alarms at home, please get in touch. Visit essex-fire.gov.uk/book or call 0300 303 0088. Could you be an on-call firefighter? Saffron Walden's firefighters are on-call firefighters, who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station. If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too. Find out more about the role at essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8905/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8905/ Sun, 28 Nov 2021 01:53:00 GMT Firefighters rescued a curious calf from the River Stort this afternoon. A member of the public used what3words to help crews locate the calf who was trapped in knee height water. Crews worked together to lift the calf out of the water and onto the riverbank by 2pm. The calf was left in the care of the farmer and led back to its field with the other calves. Have you downloaded what3words? what3words is a free smartphone app that helps you easily and accurately describe your location. The app developers have broken the world down into trillions of 3m by 3m squares, each with a unique three-word address. These three words can then be used to pinpoint your location more accurately when sending emergency services to you. If you want to feel safe on your travels knowing that emergency services will be able to find you easily, download the what3words app today at https://w3w.page.link/4ozM ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8904/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8904/ Sun, 28 Nov 2021 01:53:00 GMT Firefighters were called to a house fire in Weaverhead Close, Thaxted this morning. On arrival, crews reported that there was a fire on the ground floor of a terraced house that had spread to the first floor. Crews requested assistance from three crews from Witham, Stansted and Harlow fire stations as well as an Aerial Ladder Platform from Chelmsford Fire Station. After evacuating neighbours from either side of the property, firefighters worked to stop the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties. Firefighters used Positive Pressure Ventilation in the neighbouring properties’ lofts to prevent smoke damage while crews worked to prevent the fire from spreading. The Aerial Ladder Platform was used by firefighters to tackle the fire from above. Firefighters extinguished the fire by 11:15am. An investigation is being carried out to determine the cause of the fire. Three crews will remain at the scene throughout the day to monitor hotspots. A man inside the house managed to escape and was taken to hospital as a precaution. Sadly, a woman died at the scene. A statement from Essex Police below reads: A woman has sadly died following a house fire in Weaverhead Close, Thaxted. Emergency services were called shortly before 7.55am today, Saturday 27 November. A man aged in his 60s managed to escape and was taken to hospital as a precaution Sadly an elderly woman died at the scene. We are carrying out a joint investigation with the fire service into the cause of the fire. ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8903/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8903/ Sat, 27 Nov 2021 01:53:00 GMT Firefighters from Harlow Fire Station were called to a fire in an industrial unit in River Way this morning. On arrival, crews reported that there was a fire within a conveyer belt and worked to extinguish it by 11:43am. ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8902/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8902/ Fri, 26 Nov 2021 01:53:00 GMT An Essex County Fire and Rescue Community Builder is asking for help towards his annual Christmas hamper campaign. Community Builder Les Nicoll has made the campaign an annual event, with last year’s efforts raising £16,000. But Les, who runs charity North Essex Support Team (NEST), has been inundated with appeals for help this year. Les said: "I have been contacted by even more school welfare teams, social services, police officers and charities across Tendring and Colchester. "They are asking for help for hundreds of families who rely on foodbanks just to get by. There will be no presents under their trees - it breaks my heart that children in north Essex will not be able to celebrate Christmas. "In 2020, despite being a year of despair, you donated hampers and presents to 167 families. Everyone who donated created tears of laughter and joy where there was misery." The campaign involves creating a hamper for families in north Essex who have been referred by social care, school welfare officers, charities and other community and agencies. Each hamper is worth about £75 and has everything they need for a great Christmas Day; food for breakfast, dinner and tea, sweets, chocolate, sanitary products and toiletries. They even include carrots for reindeer, mince pies for Santa, money for heating and new toys for the children. Les said: “It has grown every year but I am worried about collecting more than 1,400 new toys for the children. “I would be so grateful if Essex residents could add a toy or two to their Christmas lists; any age, boy or girl.” How to get involved Want to bring a smile to a family’s faces this Christmas? You can donate toys, cash or get involved as a volunteer. You can drop off new toys at Colchester, Clacton or Dovercourt Fire Stations, or contact Les Nicoll (07779 129888) You can also make a donation on Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/leslie-nicoll-368?utm_term=Rz6YZWVEA Les is also asking for volunteers to buy the items for the hampers, collect toys and fuel vouchers and deliver them to families. Shopping days start at 7.30am and are taking place at: • Colchester: Tuesday 21 December Tesco Hythe, Greenstead Road, Colchester, CO1 2TE • Clacton: Wednesday 22 December. Morrisons, Waterglade Retail Park, Clacton, CO15 1HX • Harwich: Thursday 23 December, Morrisons, Iconfield Park, Harwich, CO12 4EN After you’ve done the food shopping, you'll pick up gift parcels from Colchester Fire Station, Clacton Fire Station or Mayflower Heritage Centre in Harwich and deliver them to families. If you'd like to volunteer please contact Les Nicoll on 07779 129888. Page last updated 26 November, 2021 ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/news/Les_Christmas_plea_to_help_families_in_need_across_North_Essex/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/news/Les_Christmas_plea_to_help_families_in_need_across_North_Essex/ Fri, 26 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT Crews extinguished a fire in an industrial building in Ongar. Firefighters from Brentwood, Harlow and Epping attended Stony Lane today at 11.21am. On arrival, the building, which is used to repair lawnmowers and measured approximately 20 metres by 20 metres, was completely alight. Station Manager Richie Green said: "Crews worked really hard to stop the fire from spreading and managed to contain it to the industrial unit affected. "The fire was extinguished at about 12.30pm but crews remained at the scene to damp down and check for hotspots. A crew will revisit tonight to make sure it is safe." A fire investigation will be carried out to establish the cause. If you need business fire safety advice, our fire safety officers can help. Please contact your local team using the contact details here. Could you be an on-call firefighter? Epping's firefighters are on-call firefighters - they live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to protect their community. If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too. Find out more at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8901/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8901/ Thu, 25 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT Firefighters were called to reports of a gas leak near the A127 on Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters worked alongside the gas board to make the area safe. Brook Road remained closed for some time and a safety cordon around the area affected was put in place. A small number of properties close to the site were evacuated as a precaution. People who live nearby were advised to keep their windows and doors closed. By 6pm, firefighters had left the scene in the hands of the gas board after the gas leak was capped. ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8900/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8900/ Wed, 24 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT A rescue dog is beating the odds and looks set to become one of Essex County and Rescue’s (ECFRS) newest employees. When a stray labrador called Bailey was taken in by the Dogs Trust, he appeared to be a lost cause. But one phone call later and Bailey was sniffing a trail to a new home and a new career. Louise Crawford, Animal Welfare Scheme Co-ordinator at the charity, contacted the UK International Search and Rescue (UKISAR) and other services to ask if anyone was looking for a new search dog. Graham Currie, ECFRS’s dog handler and a Crew Manager in the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, as well as a member of UKISAR, said: "I'd been looking for a dog for just under a year when Louise put out Bailey's details so I went up to Loughborough Dogs Trust the following day. "After testing Bailey's drive for a tennis ball and checking he had no aggression towards other dogs or people, I offered to take him on a six-week trial. "The biggest thing was getting him in the van because he associated it with being taken to a compound, but within 24 hours he was taught to associate it with fun. "By the third day, I was 95% sure he was the one. In the vehicle barn, there was rugby ball on a ledge above the gym weights and he wouldn't give up until he got it – that's the kind of determination we are looking for in a search dog. "I was reluctant to take a labrador as they can be greedy and distracted with food, and I was looking for a springer, cocker or sprocker spaniel bitch because I've found they are less stubborn and easier to train. "Bailey has got that drive though and he's not greedy, he'd take a ball over a bowl of food every time." 'Nothing fazes him' Graham says Bailey, who is 18 months to two years old, has excelled at search and rescue activities. He has completed seven days of UKISAR training in buildings and rubble piles with police and national assessors. Graham said: "To start with, we were hiding tennis balls to see if he would find them without being scared of the rubble. He is one of the most natural search dogs I've ever seen - he's like a mountain goat! Nothing fazes him, he has no fears or phobias. "A police trainer and colleague said if we could clone this dog all our problems would be solved. "A dog that cost us £185 has has turned out to be the most incredible creature." 'Beast from the East' Graham is planning ahead and training Bailey to take over from Jarvis, an eight-year-old cocker spaniel, a live scent search dog for the Service, when he retires. He will be one of 20 dogs used by USAR teams up and down the country, and he will be part of UKISAR, attending disaster zones across the globe. It usually takes 18 months to three years to train a dog but Bailey, whose nicknames are Beast from the East and the Polar Bear, because of his size, could be "on the run" as early as next April. Graham said: "He's already doing 'blind searching', using his nose to find people. "He searches buildings so methodically; he'll go in the first door in the building or corridor, check all the rooms attached to it and go back to the corridor and do the same on the next door, and so on." Part of the family Graham has three other dogs - Jarvis, ECFRS’s search and rescue cocker spaniel Fizz, ECFRS’s Fire Investigation sprocker spaniel, and Ailith, which is Celtic for Alice, a 12-and-a-half-year-old springer spaniel who came from the Scottish Highlands. She is a pet but has been taught to do basic searching. Graham, who is based at ECFRS’s USAR site in Lexden, Colchester, said: "We treat them like dogs. They can go and play, chase each other, swim in rivers and the sea, but as soon as the search harness is on, they know they have work to do. "We've landed on our feet with Bailey – and so has he, because he has a lovely home now." 'We are super proud' Louise Crawford, Dogs Trust’s Animal Welfare Scheme Co-ordinator, said she spotted Bailey's "fantastic" potential and is delighted to see he is so happy. She said: "Despite being found as a stray, he is a confident dog, comfortable going into different environments and situations, happy to travel in vehicles and importantly he loves to chase a ball, which is a fantastic reward for him. “He is doing an amazing job and he is really loved by Graham and is truly part of his family. We are delighted and super proud.” Watch: Bailey shows off his skills Page last updated 23 November, 2021 ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/news/The_dog_putting_the_rescue_into_fire_and_rescue/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/news/The_dog_putting_the_rescue_into_fire_and_rescue/ Tue, 23 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a home in Great Horkesley in the early hours of Saturday morning. On arrival, crews confirmed that around 25% of the property's thatched roof, which measures around 25 metres by 15 metres, was alight. Firefighters immediately began fighting the fire from both within and outside the building, and divided the incident into sectors to allow them to control the fire more quickly. A large number of crews were needed to manually strip away the thatched roof and prevent the fire from spreading any further, while working with the owner to salvage property from within the premises. Crews worked hard throughout the evening to remove the thatched material, and by 6am had managed to remove roughly 90% of the roof. By 6.30am, eight new fire crews had arrived to take over at the scene. The incident was under control and beginning to be scaled down, but will require a continued presence throughout most of Saturday due to the need to keep the thatched material away from the fire and eliminate hotspots. Station Manager Craig McLellan helped to lead our response and said at 7am: "I'd like to thank our crews for their incredibly efficient response to this fire. This was a challenging incident in a very confined area, but they worked hard to bring this fire under control as quickly as possible. "We were also grateful to have the support of the Salvation Army at the scene for refreshments and support for crews - which makes a genuine difference and isn't something we take for granted. I'd like to thank them for joining us on behalf of everyone who attended this incident. "Crews will likely be at the scene for most of the day [Saturday] while we make sure the scene is completely safe. Thank you to everyone in the local area for your understanding." Following a fire investigation, we believe this fire was caused accidentally. Could you be an on-call firefighter? Some of the firefighters at this incident are on-call firefighters - people who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to protect their community as on-call firefighters. If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter. Find out more at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8899/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8899/ Sat, 20 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT Firefighters have given safety advice after two people suffered smoke inhalation when a bonfire spread out of control. A crew from Clacton was called to Writtle Close in Clacton to a bonfire that had spread out of control and the two occupants had suffered smoke inhalation. Crews extinguished the fire by 2:17pm. Crew Manager Andy Anderson from Clacton Fire Station said: “The occupants had done the right thing by having the hose laid out while keeping an eye on the bonfire but when it got out of control, they were too close while putting it out. “Always dial 999 when a bonfire starts to spread out of control so that we are en route. If you can and it is safe to do so, cool down the surrounding areas with the hose to stop fire spread as much as possible. Please do this from a safe distance so you’re not close to the smoke. “Never leave a bonfire unattended and never place it too close to sheds, trees, fences and plants as they can quickly burn out of control.” ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8897/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8897/ Fri, 19 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT Firefighters are currently dealing with an incident in Swinbourne Drive, Braintree after a furnace exploded in a factory. Crews are currently working to extinguish the fire alongside site staff. All staff members have been evactuated while crews deal with this incident. Please avoid the area while emergency services deal with this incident. This is an on-going incident and we will provide updates. Update 1.45pm Firefighters have extinguished the fire using dry powder and will remain at the scene to monitor any hotspots. Area Manager Neil Fenwick said: “Crews did an excellent job with site staff to stop the fire from spreading and to make the scene safe. We worked closely with our partners in the Ambulance Service to ensure the scene was being managed safely.” Update 3:30pm Firefighters made the scene safe by 3pm. An investigation to establish the cause of the fire is currently being carried out. Station Manager Jez Tuckwell, Incident Commander said: “I’d really like to thank the site staff for assisting us with this incident and ensuring all 50 members of staff were safely evacuated. This was a great partnership effort to safely resolve this incident.” Could you be an on-call firefighter? Some of the firefighters at this incident are on-call firefighters - people who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to protect their community as on-call firefighters. If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter. Find out more at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8895/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8895/ Fri, 19 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT Firefighters rescued a man from a 15 metre high cherry picker today after it malfunctioned in Chafford Hundred. Crews from Grays used an Aerial Ladder Platform to reach the man and safely rescue him by 10:24am. ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8898/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8898/ Fri, 19 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT As part of CO Awareness Week (22nd - 28th November) Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to make sure they have a working carbon monoxide detector at home following two incidents earlier this month. In addition to the standard advice to have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of a house, the Service also recommends having a working carbon monoxide detector if you have a gas boiler, gas appliances or an open fire or log burner. Firefighters attended two incidents earlier this month where carbon monoxide alarms raised the alarm to a fire. In one incident in Chelmsford, the fire had been burning undetected for a few days within a wall and it was the carbon monoxide alarm that alerted the family in the middle of the night to what was happening. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of burning fuel such as gas, wood and coal and is harmful if levels build up. A working carbon monoxide detector can detect harmful carbon monoxide levels and alongside working smoke alarms, can help protect you and your family. Mark Crouch from Southend Fire Station said: “With the weather getting colder, more of us will be starting to use our heating more and it’s really important that you have a working carbon monoxide detector at home if you have a gas boiler, gas appliances or an open fire or log burner. “Carbon monoxide poisoning is often called the silent killer as without a carbon monoxide detector, it’s difficult to detect the poisonous gas. “You can buy a carbon monoxide detector from most DIY stores and if you are in a rented property, the landlord has to provide a carbon monoxide detector. “Remember to test them regularly, at least once a month when you test your smoke alarms.” If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off or you experience any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: Turn off any gas appliances Open windows and doors to ventilate the property Leave the building and dial 999 for the Fire Service If you feel unwell, call 111 and speak to the NHS Do not use your appliances/open fire/log burner until it has been inspected by a competent tradesperson ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/news/Fire_Service_recommends_carbon_monoxide_alarms_to_fully_protect_your_home/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/news/Fire_Service_recommends_carbon_monoxide_alarms_to_fully_protect_your_home/ Fri, 19 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents to take charge while charging electrical devices to prevent fires. If you’re looking for a Black Friday bargain or some Christmas gifts, the Service is giving its electrical fire safety advice to help prevent electrical fires involving batteries and chargers. As well as urging residents to use batteries and chargers safely, the Service is also urging shoppers to keep an eye out for fake chargers and batteries that pose a significant fire risk. In 2020, there were 46 fires caused by batteries and chargers in Essex. Watch Manager Andre Turner is a Fire Investigation Officer in Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and has been called to several battery and charger related incidents this year. He said: “Before you use a battery or charger, double check the battery and charger are both suitable for use with the device you’re using. Some chargers and batteries might be significantly cheaper to buy but they pose a significantly higher fire risk if they’re not suitable for the intended use. “Then before use, make sure all cables, plugs and batteries are in good working order. Do not use them if there are any signs of frayed wires, scorched plugs or a defective battery.” The Service has seen a rise in fires involving Lithium-Ion batteries this year and last month, was called a fire in Marks Tey where a battery on charge exploded while the occupant was keeping an eye on it. “Incidents like this show how important it is to do your research while shopping for electrical goods,” says Andre. “Please do your research on the item beforehand to make sure these are genuine goods with the CE Mark and that they are not copies. Some products and their listings can look really genuine but the listing, product and its packaging should all be marked with the CE Mark that shows it meets safety regulations.” “The residents in the Marks Tey incident had followed our safety advice to keep an eye on the battery while it charged but had fallen foul of a counterfeit product they believed was genuine. “When charging any electrical devices or products with larger batteries like laptops, power tools or remote control cars, always stay with the battery and charger. Never leave it charging unattended. “Larger batteries used in devices and power tools can quickly overheat if they are overcharged and are regular causes of fires in Essex. “Keep batteries and chargers on a flat surface like a worktop or table and never charge near flammable materials like bedding and blankets.” Read more electrical fire safety advice from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service at: https://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/Home_Fire_Safety/Home_Safety_Advice/Electrical/ Page last updated 19 November, 2021 ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/news/Take_charge_while_charging/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/news/Take_charge_while_charging/ Fri, 19 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT Crews were called to a kitchen fire in Waltham Abbey tonight, when a pan was left unattended and caught fire. Firefighters were called to a flat in Darby Drive at 8:49pm. On arrival, crews confirmed that there was a fire in the kitchen, and the entire property was smoke-logged. Crews worked hard to extinguish the fire by 9:30pm, and then cleared the property of smoke. Mav Langdon, Crew Manager at Waltham Abbey Fire Station, said “Fortunately, the resident involved in this incident had working smoke alarms in the property, which alerted her to the fire in the kitchen. Smoke alarms really do save lives! We recommend you have at least one working smoke alarm on every level of your home, that you test them at least once a month.” Tips for safe cooking Take care when cooking with oil - it gets very got and can set alight easily Never leave cooking unattended Avoid leaving children in the kitchen alone when cooking on the hob. Keep matches and saucepan handles out of their reach to keep them safe Make sure saucepan handles don’t stick out to avoid them being knocked off the stove Keep tea towels and cloths away from the cooker and hob Double check the cooker is off when you’ve finished cooking If you discover a grease fire in your kitchen, never try to use water to extinguish the flames. Throwing water on the fire can cause grease to splash, which will cause the fire to spread and cause further damage and/or injuries. Instead, get out, stay out and call 999. Could you be an on-call firefighter? Some of our firefighters from Waltham Abbey are on-call Firefighters, who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station. If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too. Find out more about the role at essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call ]]> http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8894/ http://www.essex-fire.gov.uk/incidents/i8894/ Wed, 17 Nov 2021 09:00:00 GMT