STAFF at Essex fire service had to vacate their HQ today - after contractors working on the busy A12 severed a water pipe.It left the Kelvedon Park site without any water at all and managers no option but to close the centre.

Richard Cornwell

STAFF at Essex fire service had to vacate their HQ today - after contractors working on the busy A12 severed a water pipe.

It left the Kelvedon Park site without any water at all and managers no option but to close the centre.

A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “This does not affect emergency 999 calls which are taken by control operators based at Hutton, or the service's operational response capability.

“The 100 staff on site will be working from Hutton, other service locations or home.”

It is intended to carry out the water repairs overnight and the headquarters will re-open Monday morning.