Updates on Wednesday, 17 February 2016
Man charged with murder after a woman's body was found at a house in Theydon Bois on Saturday
Tilbury man 'may have been assaulted' before he died post-mortem examination reveals
Protest, linked to the death of a 13-year-old boy, closes the A127 overnight
More news, sport, travel and weather updates from 08:00 on Thursday
Charlotte Rose
BBC Essex
Fire crews were called to Brockenhurst Way in Bicknacre after neighbours reported seeing smoke coming from a flat at 07:15 this morning.
Image source, GoogleWhen firefighters managed to get inside they found an unconscious man, but they could not resuscitate him.
An investigation will be carried out into what caused the fire.
A man has died in a fire at a flat in Bicknacre this morning, Essex Fire Service says.
More updates to follow.
A fuel tanker driver from Essex has died in a suspected "collision" at an industrial estate near Ipswich in the early hours, the BBC has learned.
The man, who is believed to have worked for Essex Tankers Ltd, was found on the Ransomes Europark about 04:40. The matter is being dealt with by the police, as it happened on the public highway.
The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.
Jodie Smith
BBC News
Ram-raiders have stolen a cash machine from outside a shop in Ingatestone.
Image source, Paul DaceyEssex Police said a dark blue or black pick-up style truck was seen to drive into the Budgens store in the town's High Street and pull out the cash machine at about 03:00 today.
Officers are still at the scene this morning, carrying out investigation work.
Richard Smith
BBC Essex
I've come to the house in Theydon Bois where a woman's body was found at the weekend, prompting a murder investigation.
It's a quiet, wide, tree-lined street where the homes, many apparently of the 1930s type, are smartly maintained. There is little outward sign that a woman died here on Saturday.
A police car, with its engine running, sits on the driveway of the semi-detached house, while a small piece of blue and white police tape is tied to the boundary wall.
Cloud will thicken through the morning bringing outbreaks of rain to Harlow and other western areas during the late afternoon. Maximum temperature: 6C (43F).
Tonight the band of rain will continue moving slowly eastwards overnight and may fall as sleet or snow for periods. Minimum temperature: 1C (34F).
For more details where you live visit BBC Weather.
Jodie Smith
BBC News
A 13-year-old boy who died after being hit by a car on the A127 has been named as Joseph Sheridan.
He was involved in a collision with a BMW on the Southend-bound carriageway on Monday evening and died in hospital.
A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and bailed, pending further inquiries.
Two men have been arrested over an aggravated burglary at a mansion in Sible Hedingham during which a man was shot, police say.
Jodie Smith
BBC News
This was the scene on the A127 last night, where a "large protest" took place following the death of a 13-year-old boy who was hit by a car on Monday.
Image source, DJ AllburyOne of those stuck in the resulting queues was a local DJ who tweeted several photos.
"The police took ages to get motorists to turn around. I even called 101 who put me through to the force control room to find out what was going on," DJ Allbury told the BBC.
BBC Travel
A broken-down lorry is blocking the Brook Street roundabout on the A12 near Brentwood, leading to queuing traffic.
More details from BBC Travel.
Sonia Watson
BBC Essex
It's been a busy morning in the Essex newsroom - here are the stories we're looking at:
Jodie Smith
BBC News
Police say they're treating a man's death in Tilbury last month as suspicious, after a post-mortem examination revealed he may have been assaulted before he died.
Image source, GoogleSteven Greenway, 49, was found in a flat in Riverside Heights on 18 January.
Det Insp Alan Pitcher said the force was "exploring the possibility he was assaulted" five days before his death, and wanted to speak to anyone who knew of Mr Greenway's last movements.
This is the scene on the A127.
On Monday a 13-year-old boy died after being knocked down by a car. Last night the road was closed for several hours as a result of a protest linked to the death.
Floral tributes have been left at the spot where the boy died.
Here's another photograph from the A127 protest last night, taken by Twitter user @djallbury.
Image source, @djallburyRichard Smith
BBC Essex
I am on my way to Theydon Bois, where police have announced they are investigating the murder of a woman in her 30s.
We don't yet have any further details about her identity, but we do know she was found at collapsed at a house in Morgan Crescent on Saturday afternoon.
I'll bring you more information as I get it.
Jodie Smith
BBC News
The body of a woman in her 30s was found at a house in Theydon Bois on Saturday, after reports she had collapsed inside.
Image source, GooglePolice were called at 15:45 to the property in Morgan Crescent. Her death was initially treated as unexplained but following a post-mortem examination, a murder investigation was started.
Darren Byrne, 39, of Morgan Crescent, has been charged with murder and will appear at Chelmsford Magitrates' Court this morning.
A man has been charged with murder after a woman's body was found at a house in Theydon Bois on Saturday.
Updates to follow.
We've had some more response from Essex Police about last night's protest.
Det Supt Stuart Hooper told BBC Essex's Breakfast Show that he believed "20 to 30" individuals took part.
He said no-one had been arrested but officers were continuing to monitor the situation.
"This was a very highly emotive incident, particularly due to circumstances that led up to the protest which required sensitive handling. Public safety was our priority," he said.
Essex Police faced some criticism on social media over the length of time it took for the A127 to be reopened.
But a force spokeswoman said officers worked hard to "achieve a resolution as quickly and safely as possible".
Officers were called to the scene at around 21:45 on Tuesday where they found a "large number of people and vehicles" had blocked the highway.
These photographs were posted by Twitter user DJ Allbury, showing people stood on a car that was blocking the A127 at Basildon.