Huge explosion heard across Essex as 100 firefighters tackle blaze at warehouse

More than 100 firefighters are tackling a large industrial unit fire on Essex farmland following a huge explosion. Fire crews were called to the scene of the blaze near Rettendon at 4.50pm today (24 July). Meanwhile, the blast was heard in Southend, which is almost 15 miles away, according to reports. According to The Telegraph, the fire is at a farm warehouse, and it broke out after an explosion shook nearby houses. The blaze has been declared a major incident by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS). Images have emerged showing plumes of thick black smoke pouring into the air across farmland near the site of the blaze. Debbie Thaxter, 63, who lives on East Hanningfield Road near the blaze, said it felt like “a sonic explosion” when the fire broke out. She added: “The whole house completely shook. I thought we were going to lose the windows. Debbie Thaxter, 63, said it felt like “a sonic explosion” when the fire broke out (Photo: @IBarr911 via X via REUTERS) “I ran out of the house and my next door neighbour was really distressed and crying because we just saw the flames.” “When I went upstairs, all the loft hatches had sort of blown off and everything and part of the plaster came off the ceiling,” she added, stressing that her house was currently without power. Another local said they heard the explosion from their back garden and described it as like a bomb going off. ECFRS has declared a major incident over the blaze due to its scale, its area manager Dave Bond said.Bond said in a video recorded at the scene he believes the blaze had “been surrounded”, but the service is advising people to “stay away from the area” while the fire is being dealt with. Plumes of thick black smoke pour into the air across farmland near the site of the blaze (Photo: BBC News) He added: “We ask for the public’s patience while we extinguish the fire and bring the incident to a closure. In a later update Bond revealed efforts to fight the blaze would be “ongoing into the weekend”, although emergency services are “in the process of scaling back” their presence. ECFRS also urged people who live or are travelling near the scene to keep their windows and doors closed. A spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service said it has declared a critical incident and its hazardous area response team is in attendance. It is not yet known if there have been any injuries. The scene of the blaze on Southend Road, Rettendon (Photo: Essex Fire and Rescue Service) East of England Ambulance Service, which has crews at the scene, also warned people to avoid the area and “follow the advice of the fire service”. Additional reporting by Press Association.