A HUGE blaze has erupted with residents warned to keep windows and doors shut as dozens of firefighters tackle the flames.
Orange flames and smoke could be seen coming from two industrial buildings where the fire erupted, just next to a train track.
3
3
Emergency services were called to the scene in Witham, Essex, just after 4.30pm on Friday.
The fire broke out at an industrial building measuring 80 x 50 metres.
Local residents have been urged to close their doors and windows tonight, as well as stay away from the area due to the flames “generating a lot of smoke”.
An initial update from the fire service said: “Crews are dealing with a fire at an industrial building in Eastways, Witham.
“We were called at 4.42pm and have multiple crews in attendance.
“We’ll be at the scene well into the evening. Please avoid the area if you can and keep your doors and windows closed if you live nearby.”
The fire service’s group manager, Ben Turner, said: “We will be here overnight and carry on tomorrow morning in the daylight.
“Thank you to the public for their support and patience, our partners who have been working with us and the neighbouring businesses on the industrial estate who have offered their facilities to our firefighters.
“Crews have worked incredibly hard this evening as well as our control room colleagues who have been dealing with a large number of calls.”
They surrounded the fire with support from UK Power Networks also at the scene.
Whilst the fire response has now been scaled back, crews are expected to remain until tomorrow.
Twelve fire engines were initially sent out, along with two aerial ladder platforms.
This has now been reduced to six trucks.
Around 90 firefighters from nine different stations arrived at the scene to tackle the blaze.
This included crews from Witham, Colchester, Chelmsford, Wivenhoe, Hawkwell, Billericay, Brightlingsea, Halstead and Wickford at the scene.
The railway line near the blaze has not been disrupted allowing trains to still run.
There has, however, been some slow traffic reported in the area around Eastway.
Mr Turner added: “We’re making sure that we’re protecting the surrounding risk and working with other agencies to make sure we keep our community safe.”
The cause of the fire is yet to be known.
3
