Emergency responders are currently handling a major fire at an industrial facility located in Essex. Fire crews were dispatched to the site on Southend Road, situated between the villages of East Hanningfield and Rettendon, on Friday afternoon after reports of a large-scale incident.
Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion, with one individual comparing the sound to a bomb detonating. The force of the blast was felt significantly far from the epicenter; Adrian Walker, a resident of Ashenden located 15 miles away, reported that the ground and buildings shook as a result. Another nearby resident, David Harris, described the noise as sudden and heavy.
Essex County Fire & Rescue Service has issued a directive for the public to stay clear of the vicinity. Residents or those traveling near the area have been instructed to secure their homes by closing all doors and windows due to the heavy smoke plumes visible across southern Essex. The East of England Ambulance Service is also on-site providing support.
