A significant explosion at a farm in Essex has caused buildings up to 15 miles away to shake, as captured in videos showing a large ball of flames emerging from the site.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service reported that over 100 firefighters are currently battling a major fire at an industrial unit off Southend Road, situated between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, close to Chelmsford.
The blaze, believed to be at Highlands Farm, has been marked as a major incident due to its scale. Emergency services, including the East of England Ambulance Service, are on the scene responding to the situation, with a large area cordoned off by the police.
Authorities have advised residents in the vicinity to keep windows and doors shut and to avoid the area as they work to manage the incident.
Update from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service indicates that the response has been reduced to 50 firefighters across 10 crews after a team of around 100 firefighters successfully contained a significant fire affecting industrial units in East Hanningfield.
Area Manager Dave Bond reassured the public, stating, “This is a significant fire, but it is under control with no broader risk to public safety. Crews are actively preventing the fire from spreading to nearby residential areas.”
Despite a fertilizer explosion within one of the units causing widespread impact, Bond emphasized that the situation is contained, and residents are safe. The scene is being closely monitored throughout the night due to smoke production, with ongoing road closures to ensure a safe working environment.
The incident, initially reported at 4.50pm at an industrial unit off Southend Road, prompted reports of an explosion an hour later across parts of Essex.
Residents in the surrounding areas have expressed gratitude for the swift response of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service crews. Witnesses described feeling the explosion even from miles away, with reports of windows shaking and the ground vibrating.
Essex Police and the fire service are yet to release official statements regarding their responses to the incident.
The fire, which affected Highlands Farm, a commercial and industrial business park on Southend Road, has been visible from various locations, with aerial images showing multiple structures and vehicles impacted.
Reports from individuals across Essex, including those near the Thames Estuary, have highlighted the widespread visibility of the smoke from the fire.
As more information unfolds, residents are urged to stay updated on the situation and adhere to safety precautions advised by authorities.
