Huge fireball explosion shakes houses miles away as industrial site blaze erupts in Essex

A massive industrial unit fire has erupted in Essex causing emergency services to declare a critical incident.Video posted online shows a huge fireball exploding and sending a mushroom cloud into the sky. At 6.30pm, the fire service posted an update to say more than 100 firefighters were working at the site.And at 8.15pm, area manager Dave Bond said a major incident had been declared “due to the size of the fire”, but they believe the blaze has now been surrounded.It was not known on Friday evening if there have been any injuries.Smoke plumes could be seen billowing in the sky in photos and videos posted online, while some locals have said they heard explosions.Matthew Fergusson, from Wickford, told the BBC he heard a “massive explosion” that sent a “mushroom cloud” into the sky."We heard a massive explosion. It shook our house and we're a good mile away.“I thought someone had dropped something heavy upstairs, but when I went outside the whole street was out.“The people opposite us said their house shook too.”BBC cameraman Stephen Huntley described hearing an explosion from his back garden like a bomb going off, and said emergency service vehicles were passing him "non-stop" on his way to the scene.Mr Bond said in an update from the scene posted on the service’s website: “We’re dealing with a significant incident down in the Hanningfield area.“The incident has been declared a major incident by the fire service due to the size of the fire that we’re dealing with.Read More“As you can see, there is still significant smoke in the background behind me, and we’re advising people to stay away from the area while we deal with it.“We do believe that we’ve got the fire surrounded now, but we ask for the public’s patience while we extinguish the fire and bring the incident to a closure.“We will provide further updates through our social media channels and our website, so please keep an eye on them for more information.”Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s website says: “We’re currently at the scene of large industrial unit fire in Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon.“If you live or are travelling nearby, please keep your windows and doors closed.“Please avoid the area if you can.”East of England Ambulance Service posted on X saying: “We are attending an incident in East Hanningfield together with@ECFRS and @EssexPoliceUK. Please avoid the area and, if you live locally, follow the advice of the fire service.”