Firefighters and emergency services are continuing operations into the weekend after a large fire tore through industrial units on Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon on Friday evening. A major incident was declared and local residents were evacuated while crews worked to contain the blaze.
Scale of the response
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said fire crews were called to the scene at 4.50pm on Friday. Multiple industrial units and an adjoining field were alight, and responders reported a fertiliser explosion inside one of the units. Local people across the county reported hearing and seeing the blast, and smoke plumes were widely visible.
At the height of operations, about 100 firefighters were engaged. By 10.45pm the service reported it had the incident "under control and surrounded" but remained working with partners and planned to scale back operations gradually. The service said around 50 firefighters were still on scene overnight.
“We’re still at the scene of a significant fire in East Hanningfield. As you can see behind me, we’re still dealing with significant spots of fire. However, we do have this incident under control and surrounded... The incident will be ongoing into the weekend, so please stay away from the area and allow us to continue operations.”
The update was given by area manager Dave Bond in a late-evening video. He urged people to remain away from the area and to close doors and windows if they could smell smoke while crews continue to work.
Multi-agency work and local impact
Police, ambulance crews and utility companies were reported to be on site supporting the firefighting response. East of England Ambulance Service declared a critical incident and deployed its hazardous area response team. Authorities emphasised that everyone at the scene was accounted for and that those evacuated had been moved to safety.
- Call-out time: 4.50pm (Friday)
- Approximate firefighters involved: 100 (reducing to c.50 overnight)
- Location: Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon
- Hazard noted: fertiliser inside a unit exploded
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| Essex County Fire & Rescue Service | Firefighting, scene command |
| East of England Ambulance Service | Declared critical incident; hazardous area response |
| Police | Evacuation and cordon control |
Residents in surrounding communities reported seeing large columns of smoke on social media and a number of witnesses said they heard explosions as the incident unfolded. Authorities asked the public to avoid the area to allow emergency services to operate safely and efficiently.
Advice for the public
Officials reiterated guidance for anyone affected by smoke to keep doors and windows closed. People who are concerned about possible exposure or who need assistance should follow updates from emergency services and local councils and obey any evacuation or shelter instructions.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor official updates. For those seeking immediate information, keep an eye on the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service website and local police bulletins for the latest safety advice and road closures.
