Skip to content

Fifty firefighters tackle blaze at beauty spot

Henry Godfrey-EvansEssex
News imageSimon Dedman/BBC Dry grass behind a metal fence. In the background are two red and yellow fire engines, and firefighters, and white smoke behind them.Simon Dedman/BBC
The fire service says crews have surrounded the blaze

About 50 firefighters are battling a blaze on Ministry of Defence land near Colchester.

The Middlewick Ranges on Mersea Road is also used by local people. It is home to nightingales and other wildlife.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has asked the public to avoid the area so crews can park fire engines near hydrants.

At 11:45 BST, a spokesperson said the blaze was "surrounded", adding: "Firefighters are working well extinguishing the fire."

Mike Lilley, a Labour city councillor, said: "Residents are getting hoses and buckets of sand ready to protect our homes."

News imageLiam Winters A bird's eye drone view of fields, trees and houses. In the background white smoke billows into the sky. The sky is blue.Liam Winters
The white smoke has been seen from several miles away around the city
News imageSimon Dedman/BBC A red and yellow fire engine is parked up on a dirt track, with dry brown grass either side. In the background is white smoke billowing.Simon Dedman/BBC

Resident Aimee Keteca, 41, said: "It looks pretty serious, the black smoke is substantial."

John Hood saw smoke billowing "hundreds and hundreds of feet up in the air" from where he was at Colchester United's football stadium 3.7 miles (6km) away.

Brian Gilbert told BBC Essex presenter Ben Fryer that he could see it from where he was at Abberton Reservoir

"It looks very, very big," said the 68-year-old.

News imageJack Lott White smoke billowing above a row of bricked terraced houses, with cars parked on the road. The sky above is blue.Jack Lott

Do you have a story suggestion for Essex? Contact us below.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Related internet links