Massive Explosion Sparks Ess3x Inferno: 20 Firefighters Hospitalized, Fire Engines Reduced to Wreckage
AT LEAST 20 firefighters have been hospitalised and three fire engines destroyed in a fiery explosion that ripped through an industrial site.
Fire crews battled through night after an enormous blast tore through a fertiliser store in Essex.
The massive explosion in Essex sent shockwaves up to 15 milesCredit: X
At least 20 firefighters were taken to hospital following the incidentCredit: Scott Huntley/HVC
More than 100 firefighters were deployed and a “major incident” declared – with the explosion being heard and shockwave felt up to 15 miles away in Southend.
Staggering pictures showed the mushroom cloud-like blast rising from the site, leaving it utterly in ruin and fires raging yesterday at 5pm.
Crews remain on site today as they put out the last of the flames at the scene in East Hanningfield.
And it was a confirmed at a press conference that 20 firefighters were hospitalised, three fire engines destroyed, and two emergency cars were also burned.
Fire chiefs said they were faced with a “large and rapidly developing fire” – and believe the cause was fertiliser stores.
Of the firefighters sent to hospital – four suffered minor injuries, and the rest were taken for checks for issues such as hearing loss.
All those firefighters have now been discharged from hospital.
Chief Fire Officer Rick Hylton told a media conference that he was proud of the work done by the emergency responders in battling the blaze.
Rick Hylton, Chief Fire Officer for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, reads a statement to the mediaCredit: PA
Three fire engines were destroyed in the fireCredit: Stephen Huntley/HVC
At 4.50pm yesterday afternoon, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service received the first emergency callsCredit: Refer to source
Firefighters faced a large and rapidly developing fire involving several industrial unitsCredit: Paul Edwards
He said: “Throughout yesterday afternoon, overnight and into today, firefighters have worked tirelessly in extremely challenging and hazardous conditions to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further.”
The fire and explosion also destroyed three fire engines and two officer cars that were being used to tackle the inferno.
Hylton said that “this underlines the scale and intensity of the conditions our crews faced”.
Firefighters remain at the scene to deal with remaining hotspots, but the fire is now under control.
The blast could be heard from Southend-on-Sea, around 15 miles away from the areaCredit: PA
Locals have been told to keep their windows and doors shut and to avoid the areaCredit: UKNIP
Hylton added: “Firefighters arrived quickly and were faced with a large and rapidly developing fire involving several units and surrounding farmland.
“At 5.46pm, following an explosion involving fertiliser within one of the industrial units, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident.
“We took that decision because of the scale and complexity of the incident, the significant resources required to bring the fire under safe control, and the need to co-ordinate a multi-agency response.”
While on the scene, firefighters said fertiliser inside one of the units exploded as the blast sent shock waves across the county.
The blast could be heard from Southend-on-Sea, around 15 miles away from the area.
The disaster took place at Highlands Farm, with a number of other buildings and businesses in the vicinity, including a metal manufacturing company.
Shocking images show the scale of devastation, with buildings completely gutted and reduced to burnt-out shells.
The surrounding fields also appear to have been scorched by the blaze as smoke continues to rise from the site.
Locals said they felt the shock wave from the blast in their homes following the explosion.
One video showed nearby fields littered with smoking debris and grass on fire as smoke filled the air.
The man filming the video then turned the camera to show a van on the street in flames.
Hylton said: “Our work now moves into the next phase. Firefighters will remain at the scene in order to bring the incident to a safe resolution.
“A formal investigation into the cause of the incident has already begun.
“It is important that we do not speculate on the cause until that investigation has been completed.”
He thanked the local community for sharing “official information responsibly” and that this “cooperation has made a real difference”.
Nearby residents were evacuated and locals have been told to keep their windows and doors shut and to avoid the area.
