The blaze broke out on grassland in Foundry Lane shortly before 3pm today (August 5), leading to reports of a burning smell and visible smoke across the town. One resident who lives nearby reported ash was falling into their garden. An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Two crews, from Maldon and Burnham, attended and extinguished a fire affecting an area of about 100 metres by 100 metres." The cause is undetermined at this stage. Crews left the scene at 4.22pm.