Firefighters from across Essex tackled a corn field blaze which threatened to destroy nearby homes.

Police had to close off Star Lane and Poynters Lane in Shoebury as thick smoke pouring from the fire made driving conditions impossible.

Around 12 appliances from Southend, Canvey, Hadleigh, Rayleigh, Rochford, South Woodham Ferrers, Benfleet and Leigh were called to the fire which destroyed a large part of the 60-acre field.

Stations as far away as Witham and Maldon had to be put on standby to cover the Southend region as firefighters tried to extinguish the fast-moving fire.

A spokesman for Southend fire station said there were concerns the fire would race across the field and engulf nearby homes.

Car drivers were criticised for stopping in the narrow lanes bordering the field to watch the action.

Linda Sandford, of Wakering Road, Shoebury, watched as the fire began in a field of corn bordering her home at just after 5pm on Friday.

She described how it began close to a path in the centre of the corn and within 15 minutes was on the verge of destroying her home.

She said: "It was too close for comfort. It started in the middle of the field and when I looked 15 minutes later it was a wall of fire coming directly towards the house. It was eight feet away.

"The fire service was here by this stage and somebody got a bulldozer and pushed a fire break around the house.

"I would like to know who drove the bulldozer or who had the idea. I hate to think what would have happened if they hadn't done that. I'm extremely grateful to the fire service."

A fire and rescue service spokesman said: "The blaze started around 4.30pm and it took around four hours to completely put it out. At one stage the fire headed straight towards some houses. Luckily it was stopped a few metres away.

"If we had not controlled it in time it could easily have taken the houses with it."

He added: "Even though police had closed down Star Lane, Poynters Lane and at one point Wakering Road, a lot of motorists were just hanging around watching."

"They were in danger as well at one point as the fire started to move towards them. They were needlessly risking their own lives and that of the firefighters."

Southend police said bystanders had to be moved back as the flames rapidly approached the houses.

A police spokesman said: "The smoke was very thick and the roads were closed for motorists' safety.

"The Southend High Street security camera which points towards Shoebury showed a full screen of smoke with a large plume at the centre."

Destroyed - firefighters damp down stubble after a corn blaze in Shoebury

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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