Fire at industrial unit

UPDATE 5PM (Wednesday 27 March)

An investigation into the cause of the fire was carried out throughout the day. The cause was found to be accidental.

UPDATE: 7.45AM (Wednesday 27 March)

Crews will remain at the scene this morning to continue to dampen down and extinguish hotspots.

Group Manager Dan Partridge said: "We are meeting at the site with the building owner and other partners this morning to plan how we will hand the scene over later today.

"I'd like to thank residents and businesses in the area for their patience while we bring this incident to a safe conclusion."

UPDATE: 10PM

Two crews and an Aerial Ladder Platform will remain at the scene overnight to dampen down.

Station Manager Scott Fretton said: "The fire is under control but crews will be here through the night to extinguish hotspots. 

"Although there is not much smoke, we would advise residents living nearby to keep their doors and windows closed.

"I'd like to praise our crews and everyone else involved in dealing with the incident for their hard work and professionalism."

Shire Hill remains closed but other roads in the area have reopened.

An investigation into the cause is likely to begin tomorrow (Wednesday).

UPDATE: 4.30PM

Crews are continuing to tackle a fire affecting a two-storey industrial building, measuring approximately 8 metres by 15 metres.

We have six crews – from Saffron Walden (two), Great Dunmow, Wethersfield, Newport, Harlow – as well as Chelmsford’s Aerial Ladder Platform at the scene, along with a number of officers.

Due to the smoke the fire is creating, we are urging residents to keep their doors and windows closed.

Group Manager Dan Partridge said: “We are working incredibly hard, alongside our partners, to resolve the incident. However, we expect to be at the scene into the evening and ask people to stay away from the area if possible.”

We were called to a fire affecting an industrial unit on Shire Hill, Saffron Walden today at 2.38pm.

Crews from Saffron Walden (two), Wethersfield, Newport, Dunmow and Chelmsford (Aerial Ladder Platform) are in attendance.

We are asking people living nearby to keep their doors and windows closed, and to stay away from the area if possible while our crews deal with the incident.

We will provide updates as soon as we can.