Huge field fire at Blackshots. Homes damaged and residents evacuated.

JUST hours after a government national warning about wildfires, firefighters were responding to a huge blaze in Grays.

Fields at Grey Goose Farm, back of Ashley Gardens off Blackshots Lane were ablaze this evening.

It is reported homes on Brookmans Avenue and Rushley Close were evacuated and there has been fire damage at some properties.

The alarm was raised about 9.45pm. Reports locally say the fire was started deliberately.

Essex Fire and Rescue said: "Firefighters are currently tackling a large field fire near Long Lane, Stifford Clays in Grays.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

"There is a lot of smoke in the area, if you live nearby please keep all your windows and doors shut."

The service issued an update at 11.15pm saying: "Around 50 firefighters are working in different sectors to get the fire under control.

"The fire has affected some gardens and outbuildings. We have been working with our emergency service colleagues to evacuate residents close to the incident.

"Please continue to stay clear of the area, and if the smoke is affecting your property please keep all your windows and doors shut."

The scale of the emergency services operation is captured in these images by Danny Parmenter of Essex Skyshots:

Shortly after midnight the fore service said: "The fire is out and we are in a position to scale the incident down.

"Crews are monitoring and cooling any remaining hotspots."

Station Manager Scott Fretton said: "Crews have worked extremely hard tonight to surround the fire and prevent it from spreading to properties. All residents have now returned to their homes.

"Fires like this can spread fast and most of them start with human interaction, we'd urge everybody to be cautious during this prolonged hot and dry weather.

"Avoid having bonfires and BBQs in the countryside, take any litter home and properly stub out cigarettes. With everything being tinder dry, it only takes an ember for a fire like this to start."