RESIDENTS in a village near Maldon have been warned to keep their windows and doors closed while firefighters tackle a blaze.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service says firefighters from Maldon and Southend are currently at the scene of a large haystack on fire in Butterfield Chase, Latchingdon, which was reported just after 12.30pm today.
Watch manager Gary Bannister said: "We are carrying out a controlled burn on the haystack as this is the safest and most effective way to deal with this kind of incident.
"Crews will be handing the scene over to the owner but will be returning throughout the day to monitor the fire.
"If you are in the nearby area please keep all your windows and doors shut as there is a lot of smoke coming from the site."
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