FIREFIGHTERS battled two blazes in West Thurrock in the early hours of New Year's Day - and attended a number of other, smaller incidents.

An Essex County Fire & Rescue Service (ECFRS) statement says: "Crews were called to an HGV trailer on fire in Mill Lane, South Stifford at 12.03am and a fire affecting the loft of a mid terrace house in Rushden Close, Grays at 12.57am.

"If possible, please stay away from the areas affected and keep your doors and windows closed while crews deal with these incidents."

ECFRS update at 9.51, Thursday, 1 December 2026: "We had a couple of incidents in what was an incredibly busy couple of hours in and around midnight.

"We were called to Mill Lane, South Stifford at 12.03am and crews from Rayleigh Weir, Corringham and Basildon attended.

"They extinguished a fire affecting an HGV trailer by 3.17am.

"Crews returned to the site this morning to check for hotspots.

"We were called to Rushdon Close, Grays at 12.57am and crews from Chelmsford, Billericay, Canvey, Southend and Grays' aerial ladder platform attended.

"They extinguished a loft fire in a mid terrace house. Crews remained at the scene into the early hours to check for hotspots.

"The cause has been recorded as accidental."

In addition the service attended:

Broxburn Drive, South Ockenden at 1.03am

Parker Road, Grays at 1am

Woodside Close, Grays at 12.48am

Windstar Drive, South Ockdenden at 12.09am