Devastation left behind after fire rips through two homes in Braintree

THIS was the scene today after two homes were badly damaged by fire in Bocking, Braintree, on Thursday, April 2 2026.

Firefighters had been working to surround the fire affecting two semi-detached houses in Aetheric Road after it took hold from 1:42pm. 

Crews had the fire under control by 3:45pm and were using an Aerial Ladder Platform to cool hotspots in the roof. 

Two people were left in the care of the Ambulance Service.

Station Manager Steve Byrne said yesterday afternoon: "We're in a position to start scaling this incident down to four crews and an aerial ladder platform but we do expect to be here for several hours. Please continue to keep your windows and doors closed as there is still a lot of smoke in the area. Several roads surrounding us are closed in the Bocking area, thanks to everyone for their patience while we deal with this incident."

Coldnailhurst Avenue and Panfield Lane were shut by police as six crews from Braintree, Chelmsford, Coggeshall, Colchester amd Wethersfield attended the fire at its peak. 

The fire started in the roof space and spread to the first floor of both houses.