Twenty firefighters were hospitalized after a blaze at an industrial site in Essex escalated into a major explosion upon reaching a fertilizer store. The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident on Friday at Highlands Farm, located near the village of Rettendon. More than 100 personnel were deployed to contain the rapidly spreading fire.
Three fire engines and two service vehicles were destroyed during the operation. Essex Chief Fire Officer Rick Hylton lauded the bravery and dedication of the crews, describing the event as one of the most difficult challenges the department has faced recently. While 20 responders required medical attention, 16 were evaluated primarily for potential hearing issues, and four sustained minor injuries; all have since been released.
Emergency teams arrived at approximately 16:50 BST on Friday after reports of fire at the farm on Southend Road. Shortly after their arrival, the fertilizer unit detonated. Bystanders likened the noise to a bomb or sonic boom, and reported hot debris raining down. On Saturday, a smaller crew remained on-site to dampen down the area as authorities began an investigation into the cause of the fire.
