A powerful explosion and fire occurred at an industrial plant in Essex County, southeastern England, after flames spread to the fertilizer storage area, leading to a major emergency declaration and widespread evacuation.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service reported receiving the fire alert at around 16:50 local time on Southend Road near the village of Rettendon, south of Chelmsford, before deploying over 100 firefighters to control the situation.
During firefighting efforts, the flames spread to the fertilizer storage building, causing a massive explosion that sent a giant fireball into the sky. The blast was loud enough for people across Essex to hear and feel the vibrations.
Dave Bond, an official with the fire service, said that while crews were working, fertilizer inside one building exploded, causing widespread reports of loud sounds and tremors across the county.
He confirmed this incident was the reason for declaring a major emergency, but currently, there is no additional risk to the wider public and all personnel on site are safe. Nearby residents have been evacuated from the danger zone.
A video circulating on social media showed the moment a huge fireball erupted from the plant as people hurriedly fled the area. Several witnesses told the BBC that the explosion sounded like a large bomb and resembled a sonic boom audible from a distance.
The fire also damaged several buildings and vehicles on nearby farmland, with officials estimating the blaze may continue burning into Saturday.
Authorities advised residents close to the site to keep doors and windows shut to avoid exposure to the dense smoke covering the area.
The East of England Ambulance Service said it dispatched a hazardous incident response team, with police officers also participating in operations at the scene.
As of Friday evening, no fatalities or injuries have been confirmed. Firefighters stated that despite the heavy smoke, the fire has been contained and an investigation into the cause is underway.
:BBC
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