A substantial fire at an industrial unit on Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, prompted a major emergency response on Friday evening after an explosion involving fertiliser. The incident left several industrial units and adjacent farmland alight, destroyed emergency vehicles and led to multiple firefighters being taken to hospital for checks.
Scale of the response and immediate aftermath
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) mobilised more than 100 firefighters to tackle the rapidly developing blaze. During the operation an explosion occurred inside one of the units. Chief Fire Officer and Chief Executive Rick Hylton later confirmed that the force's response had been severely affected when three front-line fire engines and two officer cars were lost to the incident.
“The fire and explosion has also destroyed three fire engines and two officer cars that were being used to respond to the incident… It underlines the scale and intensity of the conditions our crews faced.”
Mr Hylton said crews remained at the scene to make the site safe and that a formal investigation into the cause has begun. He also urged the public not to speculate about the origins of the blaze until the inquiry is complete.
Casualties, welfare and local impact
Twenty firefighters were taken to hospital following the response. Of those, four sustained minor injuries, while the remainder were seen as a precaution; all have since been discharged. Nearby residents were evacuated while the fire was at its height, and smoke plumes could be seen from some distance.
- Incident location: Highlands Farm industrial units, Southend Road (between East Hanningfield and Rettendon)
- Declared: Major incident by ECFRS following an explosion involving fertiliser
- Response: Over 100 firefighters deployed; crews remain on scene to secure site
The disruption extends beyond the immediate site: passers-by reported hearing explosions, and images and video shared online showed large plumes of smoke. Emergency services coordinated evacuations and safety measures while fighting the fire through the night.
What happens next
ECFRS has opened a formal investigation into the cause of the blaze. As the site contains hazardous materials, investigators and partner agencies will need to assess structural safety, contamination risk and the origins of the fertiliser explosion before a full re‑entry and recovery plan can be carried out.
| Item | Number |
|---|---|
| Firefighters deployed | 100+ |
| Fire engines destroyed | 3 |
| Officer cars destroyed | 2 |
| Firefighters taken to hospital | 20 |
Local residents should follow updates from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and the local police for information about road closures, air quality advice and any further evacuations. For those affected by the incident, the emergency services and local authority will publish guidance on returning to properties and accessing support once it is safe to do so.
The loss of multiple fire vehicles will also have operational implications for the county fire service while replacements or temporary measures are arranged. The force has emphasised welfare support for staff and a careful review of the operation will follow to capture lessons from what it described as a highly challenging incident.
Further reporting will follow as investigators release details about the cause, the precise extent of damage and any environmental assessments carried out on the site.
