Residents recovering from huge field blaze - no-one yet held to account as probe into cause continues
By Nub News Reporter 17th Aug 2026
FIRE and police services have confirmed the cause of last Friday evening's huge field fire at Blackshots that spread to cause damage to neighbouring properties is still unknown.
And they have refuted local claims that two people have been arrested in connection with starting the blaze.
A series of aerial photographs taken by Danny Parmenter of Essex Skyshots (accompanying this article) show the extent of the blaze.
Meanwhile residents are coming to terms with the trauma of the fire and starting to recover.
Dramatic shots from the air show the extent of the blaze, while one resident, Kellie Brien, has published film of the flames spreading into her garden house - and footage of the devastation it caused.
Despite everything, Kellie has retained a wry sense of humour, saying she doesn't think 'Alexa' will work after being engulfed in the flames.
Residents affected by the fire have expressed thanks to neighbours and the wider community for support and offers of help in rebuilding and refurbishing their homes.
A spokesperson for Essex Fire and Rescue told Nub News: "Our officers carried out an investigation and recorded the incident as accidental or deliberate - both are possibilities."
A statement from Essex Police this morning (Monday, 17 August) says: "We can confirm no arrests to date and no suggestion of referral our way from fire service at this stage."
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