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More than 100 firefighters are tackling a massive fire at a farm off Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon in Essex
Aerial images show the scale of the blaze in Essex(Image: UKNIP)A massive explosion at a farm in Essex has shaken buildings up to 15 miles away, with footage showing an enormous ball of flames erupting from the scene.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said more than 100 firefighters are at the scene of a "large industrial unit fire" off Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, near Chelmsford.
The blaze, which is understood to be at Highlands Farm, has been declared a major incident because of its size. East of England Ambulance Service said it is responding to a "significant incident", and police have cordoned off a huge area around the blaze.
"If you live or are travelling nearby, please continue to keep your windows and doors closed," the fire service said. "Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident."
Did you see or hear the explosion? If so, please get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Today20:41 BST
Watch: Essex fire service gives update as blaze declared major incident
Area Manager Dave Bond said in a video update posted on Facebook that the fire has been declared a major incident because of its size.
He said: "We do believe that we've got the fire surrounded now, but we ask for the public's patience while we extinguish the fire and bring the incident to a close."
Today20:33 BST
Fire service declares major incident
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has declared the fire on Southend Road a major incident due to its size.
Area Manager Dave Bond said in a video update that there is still "significant smoke" coming from the fire.
The fire service has urged people to avoid the area.
Today20:31 BST
Fire affecting multiple buildings and vehicles at Essex farm
The explosion occurred at Highlands Farm, a rural commercial and industrial business park on Southend Road.
Aerial images suggest the fire is affecting multiple buildings and vehicles on the site.
Today20:13 BST
Dramatic picture shows scale of blaze
People from across Essex and even the Thames Estuary are reporting seeing the smoke from the inferno off Southend Road.
A clearer image of the scene taken from above shows there are multiple pockets of flames.
The blaze seen from above(Image: UKNIP)
Today19:46 BST
Locals praise firefighters for quick response to Essex blaze
Locals have praised Essex County Fire and Rescue Service crews for their quick response to the blaze at an industrial unit on Southend Road.
One person wrote on X that crews drove past their road "within minutes of the sonic boom".
Today19:29 BST
'Police have blocked off everything' near fire site, says local
Essex Police has yet to issue a statement on its response to the large fire at an industrial unit on Southend Road.
Steven Whan, 58, from Bicknacre, near Danbury, told the BBC: "The police have blocked off everything. You can't get nowhere near it."
Like others, he described hearing his house shake and his doorbell go off.
"I thought it was a sonic boom because we've experienced that before," he said.
Today19:14 BST
Pictures show smoke rising across Essex skyline
Smoke seen from Boreham, around three miles north-east of Chelmsford(Image: Rory Gorman)
Smoke seen from Beaulieu Park Station in Boreham(Image: Rory Gorman)
Today19:06 BST
'My son asked why the floor shook,' says Chelmsford resident
If you're just joining us, more than 100 firefighters are tackling a large fire at an industrial unit on Southend Road in Essex.
The explosion shook buildings across the area, with residents miles away reporting that they felt the blast.
Timothy Benstead, from the Galleywood area of Chelmsford, told the BBC: "I heard the windows shake and my youngest son asked why the floor shook that he was sitting on at the time."
Today18:56 BST
Over 100 firefighters tackle blaze at Essex industrial unit
More than 100 firefighters are working to extinguish the fire at an industrial unit on Southend Road.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said in an update: "Please continue to avoid area, and keep your windows and doors closed if you live nearby."
Today18:47 BST
Ambulance service responding to 'significant incident'
East of England Ambulance Service has said it is responding to a "significant incident".
Today18:46 BST
Videos show huge blast at industrial unit in Essex
People have shared videos on X showing the explosion at an industrial unit on Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon.
Warning: The video at the bottom contains strong language.
Today18:38 BST
Local says they felt buildings shake from 15 miles away
Adrian Walker, 46, from Ashenden, told the BBC: "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 [Ministry of Defence] in Shoeburyness trying out some new ordnance, but it was heard and felt for miles around."
David Harris, from nearby Rayleigh, told the broadcaster it was "like someone had dropped a pile of bricks" outside his window.
Today18:29 BST
Awaiting updates from police and fire service
The Mirror has contacted Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for further information.
Today18:20 BST
Map shows location of fire
A map shows Southend Road, where firefighters are tackling a large blaze at an industrial unit.
The road is located between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, near Chelmsford, Essex.
Today18:15 BST
Locals told to keep windows and doors shut
A large fire has broken out at an industrial unit on Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon in Essex.
Essex Fire Service is urging people who live nearby to keep their windows and doors closed.
Today18:12 BST
Essex residents report hearing blast from miles away
A number of people across Essex have taken to X to say they felt the blast, with some reporting they heard it miles away from the site on Southend Road.
Responding to Essex Fire Service's statement, one person wrote: 'We heard this all the way in Hadleigh, Essex. Approximately 8.5 miles away."
Today18:06 BST
Statement from Essex fire service
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has said: "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."
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