FIREFIGHTERS battled to save an historic beauty spot after a dramatic blaze broke out.

Eight fire crews surrounded the blaze affecting 12 acres of grass and woodland in Tollesbury Wick Marshes yesterday.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service stated it believes the fire - at a site of Special Scientific Interest - started at about 10.30am when a vehicle cutting grass at the site off Old Hall Road caught alight.

The fire service initially sent crews from Colchester and West Mersea but, due to the high number of calls it was receiving, a pump from Maldon was also sent.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Response - firefighters tackle the blazeResponse - firefighters tackle the blaze

Extra support was then delivered by crews from Witham, Braintree, Wivenhoe and Chelmsford along with two off-road vehicles, an incident command unit and the Halstead water bowser.

A drone was also used at the site, which has been used to film TV dramas in the past, from an urban search and rescue team.

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Fire service group manager Dan Partridge said: “The fire was spreading rapidly along the sea wall due to the dry and windy conditions, so our control teams sent additional resources.

“Crews worked incredibly hard in really challenging conditions to stop it from spreading, protecting three cottages and two farm buildings.

Maldon and Burnham Standard: Smoke - the scene on the marshesSmoke - the scene on the marshes

“They have surrounded the fire, but there will be a large amount of smoke in the area of the next couple of hours as they continue to extinguish it.

“I’d like to thank residents and visitors for their patience and support.”

The beauty spot, which boasts acres of stunning scenery, is run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

Station manager Dan Kirk advised residents and visitors to avoid the area while the emergency response was ongoing.

“We are working alongside the RSPB and the Environment Agency to mitigate the damage to the site, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest,” he added.

“Thanks to the efforts of crews, we have managed to stop the fire from spreading to the ancient grazing marsh.”