Essex Fire Service Extinguishes 15-Hectare Grass Fire Near Southend Airstrip

Firefighters extinguished a large grass fire that burned about 37 acres (15 hectares) near an airstrip at Barling Magna, east of Southend-on-Sea. Essex Fire and Rescue Service responded to the blaze at 2:17 pm and had it under control by around 8:00 pm, with six crews initially tackling the flames and later reducing manpower as the fire was contained. Crews protected nearby outbuildings, vehicles, and hay bales while police temporarily closed roads to facilitate access to hydrants. Firefighters continued to check for hotspots overnight and planned further visits to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. An investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the wildfire. Authorities have advised the public not to be alarmed by any lingering smoke during the damping down process.