A FIRE on Southend pier and a blaze at Pitsea tip were some of the false alarms firefighters were alerted to after eyewitnesses spotted 30ft flames in south Essex.

Crews spent an evening being called out to non-existent fires, following calls from worried residents.

But the 999 calls were actually sparked by 30ft flames coming from flare stacks at the Calor Gas terminal on Canvey.

The stacks are routinely burned to remove excess gas.

While the controlled fire happened on Wednesday evening, Canvey fire crews went out on four false alarms to reports of trees and caravans burning.

Firefighters in Southend were sent to the pier after a Kent resident spied the orange glow in the distance and feared the worst.

Meanwhile, in Basildon, worried residents believed Pitsea tip was ablaze and firefighters were sent to check.

In the wake of the confusion George Whatley, founder of Canvey’s People Against Methane group, critcised Calor Gas for failing to warn residents that the planned fire was going to happen.

Just last May, when the fire stacks were last burned, Calor pledged to inform residents of the next controlled blaze to avoid sparking a further panic.

Mr Whatley said: “The fact that they didn’t tell residents, shows Calor treats them with utter contempt.”

However Paul Blacklock, spokesman for Calor Gas, said residents living near the site, local councillors and emergency services had been alerted by letter, warning the flare stacks were going to be burned.

He also said residents could subscribe to a free text service – launched by Calor Gas after the last panic – which will inform them of planned activities at the terminal.

To receive free texts about activities at the gas terminal call 0800 1522681 or 01268 209815.