A significant explosion at a farm in Essex has caused buildings up to 15 miles away to shake, as shown in video footage capturing a massive ball of flames engulfing the area.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has mobilized over 100 firefighters to tackle a “large industrial unit fire” located off Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, close to Chelmsford.
The fire, believed to be at Highlands Farm, has been categorized as a major incident due to its extensive scale. Emergency services are responding to the situation, with the East of England Ambulance Service addressing a “significant incident” and the police setting up a wide cordon around the affected area.
Authorities have advised residents in the vicinity to keep their windows and doors shut and to steer clear of the area while the incident is being managed.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is reducing its response team to 50 firefighters in 10 crews after an initial deployment of around 100 firefighters successfully contained a substantial fire involving industrial units at a farm in East Hanningfield.
Area Manager Dave Bond provided an update, stating that the fire is contained, with no broader risk to the public. Efforts are focused on preventing the fire from spreading further and ensuring the safety of nearby residences.
Despite the ongoing situation, the fire service is confident in managing the fire and maintaining public safety. The incident has caused a significant disruption, leading to road closures in the vicinity, and residents have been evacuated as a precaution.
The fire is generating considerable smoke, and authorities recommend residents nearby to keep their windows and doors sealed. The emergency response is expected to continue throughout the night, and the public is urged to avoid the area for safety reasons.
Reports indicate that the initial fire was reported at an industrial unit off Southend Road in the late afternoon, followed by an explosion felt across parts of Essex about an hour later.
Area Manager Dave Bond emphasized the importance of public cooperation as efforts continue to extinguish the fire completely.
The explosion, originating from Highlands Farm on Southend Road, has affected multiple structures and vehicles on the premises, with visible smoke seen from various locations in Essex, including the Thames Estuary.
Local residents have commended the prompt response of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to the fire incident, highlighting the quick arrival of fire crews in the area following the explosion.
Public accounts describe the powerful impact of the explosion, with reports of buildings shaking and windows rattling miles away from the site. Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service are yet to release further details on their response to the incident.
Eyewitnesses shared their experiences of the explosion, with some likening the impact to a sonic boom due to its intensity and widespread effects. The incident has sparked a significant response from emergency services and the local community.
Overall, the incident at the industrial unit on Southend Road has garnered widespread attention, with authorities urging caution and cooperation from the public to ensure safety and containment of the situation.
