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Warning to shut windows after field fire breaks out

Shivani ChaudhariBBC News, Essex
News imageWill Wilkinson A large fire with lots of smoke in a field Will Wilkinson
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.

News imageEssex County Fire and Rescue Service A muddy field with large smoke coming out of it Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
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."

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