Crews from fire stations in Colchester, Wivenhoe and Manningtree were called to a fire which left more than 100 properties without electricity for several hours.

VIDEO FOOTAGE AND IMAGES COURTESY OF KATIE SMART AND IAN PRESS

The blaze was reported at about 2.30pm on Wednesday and took fire crews just over an hour to bring under control.

Engineers from UK Power Networks were called after it affected overhead power cables. A total of 127 properties in between Ardleigh and Lawford were without power until the evening.

No-one was hurt in the incident, but the flames could be seen over a wide area – by traffic using the A120 between Colchester and Harwich and Clacton and were also clearly visible from the Severalls business park on the northern edge of the town.

The fire affected about 30 square metres of land.

East Anglian Daily Times: Thick black smoke could be seen as far away as Stanway. Picture: IAN PRESSThick black smoke could be seen as far away as Stanway. Picture: IAN PRESS (Image: Archant)

The incident was under control by 4pm although there remained a fire service presence for a time to ensure that there was no risk of it flaring up again.