Summary

  • Essex Fire and Rescue Service held a press conference to give an update after a fire and explosion ripped through an Essex industrial unit

  • More than 100 firefighters were sent to the "major incident" on farmland between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, which broke out on Friday

  • Twenty firefighters were taken to hospital but have been discharged

  • Three fire engines and two fire service cars were also destroyed in the blaze

  • Witnesses told the BBC the explosion sounded "like a bomb" and likened it to a "sonic boom"

  • Firefighters urged people nearby to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed

  • Aerial footage from the scene shows the wreckage of industrial buildings and burnt-out vehicles, with multiple fires burning

  • Essex Fire and Rescue Service say the fire has been "surrounded" but is still burning, and the cause of the blaze was being investigated.

Live Reporting

Reporting by Rachael McMenemy

  1. Ambulance service responding to 'significant incident'

    We have been told by the East of England Ambulance Service that this is a "significant incident".

    We're waiting for them to send us a full statement and will share it as soon as we can.

  2. 'It sounded like a bomb,' says BBC cameraman

    BBC cameraman Stephen Huntley says emergency service vehicles were passing him "non-stop" on his way to the scene.

    He heard an explosion from his back garden and described it as like a bomb going off.

  3. People describe explosion followed by shaking

    Huge plumes of smoke rising above a line of trees, which are by a riverbed with boats on it.Carole Vernon

    Carole Vernon sent us this picture from Hullbridge

    People have described to the BBC hearing an "explosion" at the scene of the fire.

    Adrian Walker, 46, from Ashingdon, says: "The ground shook, buildings shook, windows rattled, birds flew off - and I am 15 miles away.

    "I've never heard anything like it. At first, I thought it was the MOD in Shoeburyness trying out some new ordnance, but it was heard and felt for miles around."

    Timothy Benstead, from the Galleywood area of Chelmsford, adds: "I heard the windows shake and my youngest son asked why the floor shook that he was sitting on at the time."

  4. Fire service urges people to avoid the area

    Here's the full statement from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service:

    "We're currently at the scene of large industrial unit fire in Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon.

    "If you live or are travelling nearby, please keep your windows and doors closed.

    "Please avoid the area if you can."

  5. Firefighters tackling 'significant incident' in Essex
    Breaking

    Firefighters are dealing with what has been described as a "significant incident" at an industrial building in Essex.

    Crews were called to farmland in Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, on Friday afternoon.

    We'll bring you the latest updates.