SEVERAL fire crews have been called to a dangerous house fire today (April 18).

Teams from Colchester, Mersea, Tiptree, Witham, Maldon and Chelmsford were called to a house fire at a detached property in Tolleshunt Knights, near Tiptree at around 1.30pm.

On arrival firefighters reported that both the ground and first floor were completely alight.

Station Manager Scott Meekings said:"Our crews have worked extremely hard in difficult conditions.

"Water supplies have been poor but we are working to use a nearby open water source to pump the water and help extinguish the fire."

Incident Commander Dan Kirk added: "The roof has collapsed and the house has been completely destroyed, but thankfully everyone is safe with no injuries.

"We have divided the incident into sections and are continuing to work to bring it under control."

Fighterfighters have also been able to find a good water supply from a nearby large pond and are using a high volume pump to move the water from the pond to the house. 

Essex Fire say the incident has now been scaled back to three fire engines plus the aerial ladder platform and high volume pump.

However, although the main fire has been extinguished it has got into insulation and wall cavities of the house so crews expect to stay at the incident for some time as they continue to dampen down and turn over.