Essex County Fire Chief Rick Hilton
20 firefighters have been taken to hospital after a massive fire at an industrial unit in Essex led to a fertilizer explosion, destroying three fire engines and two fire services vehicles.Sky News reported that authorities said four firefighters suffered minor injuries while the rest were treated as a precaution before being discharged from the hospital.
Fertilizer explosion destroys emergency vehicles
The fire broke out at around 4.50pm on Friday at Highlands Farm on Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon. Firefighters who responded to the incident encountered a rapidly spreading fire that spread to the fertilizer storage area, where a powerful explosion occurred.
Rick Hilton, Essex County’s chief fire official, said the explosion destroyed three fire trucks and two fire officer vehicles, which underscores the seriousness of the incident.“The fire and explosion destroyed three fire engines and two officer vehicles that were being used to respond to the incident. This highlights the scale and severity of the conditions our crews faced,” Hilton said.
20 firefighters were taken to the hospital and all have been released
Hilton said 20 firefighters attended the hospital after the accident.
Four sustained minor injuries, while the remaining 16 underwent precautionary examinations, including hearing evaluations, after the explosion. They have all since been discharged.He described the fire as one of the most complex incidents dealt with by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service in recent years, and praised crews for their professionalism and bravery.
A major accident has been announced Smoke also sweeps the area
A major accident was announced as thick black smoke billowed into the surrounding area.
Nearby residents were evacuated, while people living near the site were advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to the smoke.More than 100 firefighters were deployed to deal with the fire. By Saturday, about 25 firefighters remained on scene conducting de-escalation operations.
Witnesses describe the explosion as “like a bomb”
According to the BBC, residents said that the sound of the explosion was heard and felt miles away. Witnesses described the explosion as “sound bomb-like” or “a loud boom,” and some reported that hot debris fell from the sky.Motorist Colin Neal Jr., who was driving nearby, flew a drone over the area after seeing towering plumes of smoke. He said the footage indicates that several fields caught fire and two industrial sites appear to have been affected.Local council member Danielle Pelton said the explosion shook the community and praised emergency crews for bringing the situation under control.Authorities said the fire is now under control, but crews will remain on site as recovery work continues. An investigation has been opened to determine the cause of the fire, while officials assess the damage to the affected shops.
