Fire destroys Essex woodland at RSPB Old Hall Marshes

Fire crews battled a blaze which affected 12 acres (five hectares) of grass and woodland at RSPB Old Hall Marshes

Fire crews remain on a nature reserve after a large fire broke out.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service were called to RSPB Old Hall Marshes at 10:00 BST on Wednesday to a blaze affecting 12 acres (five hectares) of grass and woodland.

The service said it managed to stop the fire spreading to ancient grazing marsh on the site, in Tollesbury, and had it extinguished by 19:30.

It is believed the blaze began when a vehicle cutting grass caught fire.

Crews remained on site dampening down, the fire service said.

Group manager Dan Partridge said: "The fire was spreading rapidly along the sea wall, due to the dry and windy conditions, so our control teams sent additional resources.

"Crews worked incredibly hard in really challenging conditions to stop it from spreading, protecting three cottages and two farm buildings."

An RSPB spokeswoman said it was "currently assessing the extent of the damage in the area and potential impacts on wildlife.

The fire service said the blaze at Old Hall Marshes spread quickly along the sea wall

Station manager Dan Kirk said: "We are working alongside the RSPB and the Environment Agency to mitigate the damage to the site, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

"Thanks to the efforts of crews, we have managed to stop the fire from spreading to the ancient grazing marsh."