Maldon: Arrest made after South Woodham Ferrers fire

Yesterday afternoon Essex County Fire and Rescue firefighters attended Treebeard Copse, in South Woodham Ferrers, after receiving reports of a blaze.

After arriving at the scene at 5.15pm, crews from Chelmsford, Wickford, Leigh, Basildon, Corringham, Rayleigh Weir and Hawkwell tackled the blaze.

The fire had started in a shed and spread to eight terraced houses.

The Chelmsford crew brought an aerial ladder platform to the incident.

Crews from Leigh, Corringham and Hawkwell set up an incident command unit.

Crew - an image of a fire engine (Image: Newsquest)

Due to the serious nature of the incident. Essex County Fire and Rescue group manager Scott Meekings issued a warning to residents.

He said: "Crews have the fire under control and are working hard to extinguish it.

"Please keep your doors and windows closed if you live nearby and stay away from the area if possible because a number of roads are closed.

“Thank you to residents for your patience and understanding."

The blaze was brought under control by about 7.40pm, but crews remained at the scene into the late evening to dampen down.

A rest centre was also set up by the town council at Champions Manor Hall in Hullbridge Road for anyone who needed support following the incident.

Essex Police have confirmed a man has now been arrested in connection with the fire.

Police - a police officer (Image: Essex Police)

A 34-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We attended the incident in Treebeard Copse at 5.30pm along with our Essex County Fire and Rescue Service colleagues.

“Officers worked at pace and within two hours they arrested a 34-year-old man on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He is currently in custody.

“A shed and a small number of terraced properties were damaged by the fire.

“This is being treated as an isolated incident.”

The arrested man remains in custody.