Twenty firefighters were taken to hospital after a blaze at an industrial unit near the village of Rettendon spread to a fertiliser store and triggered a major explosion on Friday evening. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident as more than 100 firefighters were deployed to tackle the rapidly developing fire at Highlands Farm on Southend Road.
Scale of the response and injuries
At the peak of the incident, crews faced intense flames and explosive activity. Three fire engines and two fire service cars were destroyed in the blaze. Of the 20 firefighters taken to hospital, four sustained minor injuries; the remainder were checked as a precaution, primarily for concerns such as hearing problems after the blast. All those admitted to hospital had been discharged by Saturday, the fire service confirmed.
Rick Hylton described the response as "one of the most challenging and complex incidents Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has responded to in recent years" and praised the "remarkable professionalism, courage and commitment" of crews.
What happened at the site
Emergency services were alerted at about 16:50 BST to reports of fire affecting industrial units and surrounding land between East Hanningfield and Rettendon. Firefighters encountered a large and fast-developing blaze. At about 17:46, a unit housing fertiliser exploded; witnesses described the noise as sounding like a bomb or a sonic boom, and reported hot debris falling across neighbouring fields.
- Location: Highlands Farm, Southend Road (between East Hanningfield and Rettendon)
- Emergency personnel deployed: More than 100 firefighters
- Hospitalisations: 20 firefighters taken to hospital; 4 with minor injuries; others checked and discharged
- Damage: Three fire engines and two fire service cars destroyed
Ongoing work and investigation
By Saturday about 25 firefighters remained at the scene conducting damping-down and recovery operations. The fire service has said it is supporting businesses affected and has urged the public not to speculate on the cause while a formal investigation is under way.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fire engines destroyed | 3 |
| Fire service cars destroyed | 2 |
| Firefighters hospitalised | 20 (all discharged by Saturday) |
Chief Fire Officer Rick Hylton has appealed for caution around speculation as investigators examine the cause. Local residents and businesses near Highlands Farm may continue to experience disruption while recovery and safety assessments proceed.
We will publish further updates as official findings and statements become available from the fire service and other emergency agencies.
