Builders at a residential home got a bit hot under the collar when the cab of their crane burst into flames.
Workmen installing a new conservatory and luxury bistro at The Old Deanery, Bocking, evacuated when they saw fire.
Elderly people were also moved away from the side of the building where it happened, although operations director Clive Ansell-Jones said the procedure was very calm.
He said: "We told them what was going on, offered them cups of tea and informed them through the very short period until it was extinguished."
Mr Ansell-Jones praised Braintree and Coggeshall firemen for their efficient work, using a thermal imaging camera and hose reel jets to extinguish the blaze at 11.20am today (Wednesday September 19).
They are now investigating its cause, but believe it was mechanical failure.
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