Warning to shut windows after field fire breaks out

Fire crews were called out to the blaze

Residents were urged to keep windows and doors shut after a fire in a field broke out.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called to Chelmer Blackwater Reserve in Maldon at about 13:20 BST.

Crews worked to extinguish a hectare of grass, which was alight, and said there was "a lot of smoke" in the area due to the blaze.

A spokesperson for the service said the A414 was closed from Spital Road until it was safe to reopen. They believed the fire was started deliberately.

Firefighters have been tackling a blaze in Maldon

Firefighters from Maldon, Witham, West Mersea, Billericay and Chelmsford were sent to the scene.

The service previously said: "If you live in the area, please keep all your windows and doors shut as there is a lot of smoke coming from the incident."