Chris Flynn
BBC Essex

BBC Essex understands that the leak at Southend Hospital involves about 5,000 litres (1,100 gallons) of fuel.

The hospital said it has taken place on the Cardigan Wing.

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Firefighters can be seen outside the facility on Prittlewell Chase following the closure of the hospital due to a large fuel leak on the maternity ward.

Essex Fire and Rescue are dealing with the large fuel leak on the third floor of Southend Hospital. 

Crews are currently trying to stop the leak and are waiting for a specialist cleaning company to attend the scene, the service says. 

Firefighters are monitoring CO2 levels on all floors using detection equipment.

Image source, Google

Southend Hospital says it is having to divert ambulances to other hospitals in the region as its A&E department, along with the rest of the hospital, is currently closed. 

Southend Hospital is warning patients not to attend the hospital as it is "not safe". 

Those inside are currently being moved to alternative areas after a large fuel leak in its maternity unit. 

The hospital is currently closed, including its A&E department. 

Image source, Google

Southend Hospital, external has declared a major incident due to what it calls a "large" diesel fuel leak.

It happened on the third floor of the Cardigan Wing.

The affected areas have been evacuated of patients and visitors.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "We are asking patients and visitors to please stay away from the hospital at this time to allow the emergency services to safety manage the incident."

Here's what we've covered so far today: 

• Police have released the 999 call made by Darren Byrne, an hour after he killed his wife and burned her body
• A combination of broken down trains and a signalling problem has caused delays for commuters travelling on Greater Anglia today
• House prices in Basildon have surged by nearly 20% over the last year - the strongest growth in the UK, new figures suggest

Image source, EFRS

Essex Fire and Rescue has released this photo after a car crashed into a house and ruptured a gas main in Frinton yesterday. 

It happened in Ferndown Road at about 16:40. Nobody was trapped in the car, but firefighters had to isolate the gas supply.

County cricketers from Essex have delivered Christmas presents to children being treated at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

House prices in Basildon have surged by nearly 20% over the last year - the strongest growth in the UK, new figures suggest. 

Image source, Google

It'll now cost you an average £301,633 to buy a property in the south Essex town, according to the Office of National Statistics. 

Nationally, the average house price was £217,000 in October, marking a £14,000 increase compared with October 2015.  

A man has been arrested following a chemical incident in East Hanningfield, police say. 

Officers attended a house in Fillioll Close at about 03:45 yesterday after receiving a call from somebody stating they wanted to dispose of a chemical. 

Police and the Ministry of Defence attended the property and a 34-year-old man was arrested.

He remains in police custody.

Police have released the 999 call made by Darren Byrne, an hour after he killed his wife and burned her body. 

The 40-year-old was found guilty of murder and arson following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. Maria Byrne, 35, died at the couple's home in Morgan Crescent, Theydon Bois, on 13 February. 

The jury was told she had been hit on the head by Byrne after finding out he had been having an affair. 

Byrne had doused his wife's body with white spirit and had turned on the hob before going on an hour-long dog walk.

Martin Barber
BBC News

So the slog to London continues - and there's a wry smile as the platform announcement encouraged us to "use the full length of the train for a more comfortable journey".

I'm not entirely sure this is "comfortable" and I'm hearing grumblings this isn't a direct train into Liverpool Street. 

"It's amazing how one broken down freight train can cause all this chaos," one person is overheard to say. 

Another said: "There'll be some claim forms going in today." 

Hmm, I'm wondering just how much today's delays are going to cost in compensation? It must run into the tens of thousands. And will it be the freight train company that has to compensate Greater Anglia?

Sadly no Christmas decorations to distract from the commuter misery on this stretch as we slowly head to the capital. 

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

I doubt there'll be much Christmas cheer for Greater Anglia commuters today - but at least the thought was there... 

Greater Anglia will compensate any passenger whose journey has been delayed by more than 30 minutes, external.

Claim forms are available online, or from staffed stations, and must be completed within 28 days of the delay.

Compensation is only offered against the planned and advertised timetable, and not usually during periods of pre-planned engineering works and when replacement bus services are used. 

Ticket restrictions on travel today have been lifted, following the cancellations of services due to a broken down freight train between Ipswich and Manningtree. 

Martin Barber
BBC News

There was a quiet resignation at Ipswich station this morning as we arrived from Norwich at 08:25 - it was going to be another one of 'those days' on the commute to London. 

I got the impression people don't have the energy to get angry and stressed about it any more. To be delayed is sadly the norm. 

• You've been delayed - again
• You're waiting in the cold for a limited number of replacement buses - again
• You must remember to fill in your delay repay form - again

People were actually quite good humoured in the bus queue - resigned to the fact there's nothing you can do so you might as well make the best of it. 

As I write I'm now stuck in traffic somewhere on the outskirts of Colchester. There's chatter on the bus about Christmas parties and buying a secret Santa. I feel slightly sorry for the chap who's going to get a hideous festive sweater at the princely sum of £5.98! 

There isn't a view - it's all a bit too misty... but despite being horribly late - there is a sparkle on the horizon! 

Our replacement bus was last used it seems to take festive holiday makers to Cornwall... the tinsel is still hanging from the ceiling.

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Although the morning rush may be over, passengers at Chelmsford railway station aren't moving anywhere fast.

The departure board here is either displaying delays or cancellations for London-bound trains.