Firefighters have worked quickly to stop a fire from spreading to homes (Image: Essex Fire Service)
A Sainsbury's and a Harvester restaurant have been evacuated after a fire broke out.
Emergency services are currently at the scene of the blaze in Stanway, near Colchester.
Crews were called at about 12pm to a grass fire that had also spread to hedges and eight gardens.
Firefighters have worked quickly to stop it from spreading to homes in Hillyfields.
In a tweet, the force control room for Essex Police said: "We are on scene with colleagues at Essex County Fire and Rescue service outside the Harvester in Stanway.
"This is after a fire had been sighted in the bushes outside by Essex Roads Policing Team officers who were passing by.
"As a precaution the Harvester and Sainsbury's behind have been evacuated."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here