Twenty firefighters were taken to hospital after a massive explosion ripped through an industrial site in Essex, where a rapidly spreading blaze engulfed buildings and a fertiliser storage facility on Friday evening.
The incident unfolded at Highlands Farm near Rettendon, forcing emergency services to declare a major incident as more than 100 firefighters battled to contain the flames.
Massive Explosion Destroys Emergency Vehicles
As firefighters worked to control the fire, a powerful explosion erupted from a fertiliser storage unit at approximately 5:46pm, sending debris into the air and destroying three fire engines and two fire service support vehicles.
Residents described the blast as sounding like a bomb or a sonic boom, while others reported seeing burning debris falling from the sky.
Twenty Firefighters Receive Medical Treatment
Essex Chief Fire Officer Rick Hylton confirmed that 20 firefighters were taken to hospital following the explosion.
Four firefighters suffered minor injuries, while the remaining sixteen were assessed as a precaution for hearing-related issues caused by the force of the blast. Officials later confirmed that all firefighters had been discharged after receiving treatment.
Hylton praised the courage and professionalism shown by emergency crews, describing the operation as one of the most challenging incidents Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has faced in recent years.
Fire Spread Rapidly Across Industrial Site
Emergency crews were first called to the scene shortly before 5:00pm after reports of a fire involving industrial buildings and surrounding land along Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon.
Firefighters encountered an intense blaze that spread rapidly through the industrial complex before reaching the fertiliser storage area, where the explosion occurred.
Investigation Underway
Although the main fire has now been brought under control, crews remained at the site on Saturday to extinguish remaining hotspots and secure the affected area.
Authorities have launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the fire while recovery work continues for businesses impacted by the incident.
Officials have not yet confirmed what triggered the blaze, but the incident has once again highlighted the dangers firefighters face when responding to fires involving hazardous industrial materials.
