THREE crews of firefighters responded quickly to deal with a blaze by the side of the busy A1089 (Dock Approach Road) between Chadwell St Mary and Grays this afternoon.

One lane of the southbound dual carriageway was closed while the flames on a roadside banking were dealt with.

Locally it was reported the fire was caused by a discarded bike that had been set alight.

A statement from Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: "Crews were called to Dock Approach at 2.49pm to a moped alight. This was affecting about 20 metres of the road way. Crews extinguished the motorbike by 3.20pm."