Twenty firefighters were taken to hospital after a huge explosion struck an industrial site in Essex, where a rapidly spreading fire engulfed several buildings and a fertiliser storage facility.
The incident occurred at Highlands Farm near Rettendon on Friday evening. More than 100 firefighters responded as emergency services declared a major incident and worked to bring the blaze under control.
Explosion Destroys Fire Engines at Essex Site
The fire had already spread across parts of the industrial complex when a powerful explosion occurred at around 5:46pm.
The blast came from a fertiliser storage area and sent debris flying across the site. It destroyed three fire engines and two fire service support vehicles.
Residents described the explosion as sounding like a bomb or a sonic boom. Some witnesses also reported seeing burning debris falling from the sky.
Twenty Firefighters Taken to Hospital
Essex Chief Fire Officer Rick Hylton confirmed that 20 firefighters were taken to hospital following the explosion.
Four firefighters suffered minor injuries. The other 16 were assessed as a precaution, particularly for possible hearing problems caused by the force of the blast.
All 20 firefighters were later discharged from hospital.
Hylton praised the emergency crews for their professionalism and courage. He described the incident as one of the most challenging operations Essex County Fire and Rescue Service had faced in recent years.
Fire Spread Across Industrial Complex
Firefighters were called shortly before 5pm after receiving reports of a major fire involving industrial buildings and nearby land along Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon.
Crews faced intense flames that quickly spread through the site. The fire eventually reached the fertiliser storage facility, triggering the major explosion.
The presence of potentially hazardous materials significantly increased the risks faced by firefighters during the operation.
Emergency Services Remain at Scene
Although firefighters brought the main blaze under control, crews remained at the site on Saturday to tackle remaining hotspots and make the area safe.
The scale of the damage has also affected businesses operating at the industrial complex. Recovery and assessment work is expected to continue as authorities examine the impact of the fire.
Investigation Underway Into Essex Explosion
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
Officials have not yet confirmed what started the blaze. Investigators will examine the affected buildings, storage facilities and available evidence as they work to establish how the incident developed.
The Essex industrial explosion highlights the serious dangers emergency crews can face when fires involve industrial sites and hazardous materials.
