Fire spreads to family gardens in Clacton following arson

A fire started deliberately in an Essex field spread to the gardens of family homes and hit conservatories and sheds.

When firefighters arrived at the scene in Stanley Road, Clacton shortly after 1.35pm today the blaze measured around 100 metres by 50 metres.

The fire spread to the gardens of seven homes but thanks to the quick action of crews it did not affect any properties.

By 2.35pm, the fire was fully surrounded and almost completely extinguished.

Crews dampened down in the area to avoid the risk of the blaze of restarting.

The cause of the fire was recorded as deliberate.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service sent four crews: two from Clacton one each from Frinton and Brightlingsea.

Meanwhile, firefighters were called to a separate field fire in Little Clacton today shortly before 4.20pm.

Crews reported that around 20 acres of standing crops were alight when they arrived on scene.

In order to allow firefighters to surround the fire and prevent it from spreading as efficiently as possible, the incident commander divided the area into sectors.

The fire was extinguished by 5.32pm.

The cause of the fire was recorded as “undetermined”.

Four crews were sent to the scene: two from Clacton, one from Frinton and another from Weeley.

The recent heatwave has led to a spate of large wildfires across East Anglia due to hot and dry conditions.