Firefighters injured and fire engines destroyed after industrial site blaze in Essex

Firefighters suffered minor injuries and three fire engines were destroyed in a "significant" blaze at a large industrial unit in Essex which caused supplies of fertiliser to explode.

Fire crews remain at the scene after they were called to the incident in Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, at 4.50pm on Friday, although it has now been put out.

Fire chief Rick Hylton said 20 firefighters attended hospital after the blaze, with four suffering minor injuries. All have been discharged.

He added that three fire engines and two fire officer cars were destroyed in the fire.

Mr Hylton said: "The fire and explosion has also destroyed three fire engines and two officer cars that were being used to respond to the incident. This underlines the scale and intensity of the conditions our crews faced.

"I also want to provide an update on the welfare of our firefighters. I can confirm that 20 firefighters attended hospital following the incident.

"Of that 20, four suffered minor injuries, and the remainder were precautionary assessments, including checks for issues such as hearing loss following the explosion.

"I am pleased to confirm all of those firefighters have now been discharged from hospital."

He added that the incident is now under control but that firefighters will remain at the scene.

People living near the site were told to keep their windows and doors closed, and a "major incident" was declared as thick black smoke engulfed the surrounding area. Nearby residents had been evacuated.

The service's area manager, Dave Bond, said on Friday: "The incident will be ongoing into the weekend, so please stay away from the area and allow us to continue operations. We apologise for any inconvenience this caused, and we thank you for your patience.

"The advice we're still giving to the public is that if you do smell smoke, then close your doors and windows. But please bear with us as we continue our operations to extinguish the fire."

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Colin Neale Jr was driving along the A13 near Dagenham when he saw the plumes of smoke.

He told Sky News earlier that, as he drove closer, he realised how big the fire was and decided to send his drone up over the fields.

Mr Neale said the drone showed "multiple fields" had caught fire, and it appeared two industrial complexes were affected.

Local councillor Danielle Belton told Sky News: "The incident has really shook the community. The explosion was heard and felt for miles surrounding the site.

"As always, our fire and rescue service have shown an incredible display of bravery and dedication to getting the situation under control and to protect those closest to the incident."

A spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service said its hazardous area response team had gone to the scene.

(c) Sky News 2026: Firefighters injured and fire engines destroyed after industrial site blaze in Essex