FIREFIGHTERS had to use water from a nearby lake to bring a fire in Brentwood under control.

Ten fire crews were sent to Hutton and Ingrave after two fires broke on Monday afternoon.

Essex Fire and Rescue said the 450 tonnes of hay at Creasy’s Farm in Church Lane, Hutton, would take about two days to extinguish in a “controlled burn”.

It said another 300 bales of hay which ignited in Middle Road, Ingrave, would take three days to burn out.

Speaking at the Hutton fire, Assistant Divisional Officer Paul Chipperfield said: “We’re not entirely sure how this started.

“It could have internally combusted, it could be that someone flicked a cigarette, or it could have ignited when after a vehicle passed.

“It’s too dangerous for me to send one of the men in there to try to extinguish the fire, so we’ll make sure it doesn’t spread and wait for the fire to burn out.

“We’ve got a source of water at a nearby lake.”

Just two miles away, another fire raged in an Ingrave field – where a hay stack almost twice the size was alight.

Crews were still at both fires on Tuesday evening, at time of going to press.

Eyewitness Alice Sanders described how the Hutton blaze licked the tree tops - she was thankful the wind didn’t pick up, leading to the flames spreading.

The 27-year-old also expressed sympathy for the farmer.

She said: “I was driving passed when I noticed the smoke filling the air.“It’s such a shame, this is the farmer’s livelihood, and losing that amount of hay could be costly.

“I saw the fire licking the tops of the trees, and if it was a bit windier it surely could have spread quickly.

“It’s common knowledge that times are tough for both arable and dairy farmers.

“But I’m relieved it didn’t spread to other areas of the field.”