Fire in outbuildings

Incident update at 10.55pm

Our crews have been working hard to prevent the fire from spreading to a nearby corn field and electrical sub station.

Although three outbuildings and a derelict bungalow have been completely destroyed.

An investigation is being carried out to determine the cause of the fire.

The aerial ladder platform remains at the scene along with two relief crews from Shoeburyness and South Woodham Ferrers.

We are urging people living near Hatfield Road in Witham to keep their windows and doors closed as our firefighters continue to deal with a large fire in the area.

Crews from Witham were called to the fire at just after 5pm after reports that a large outbuilding on Hatfield Road was alight. 

On arrival they requested the help of two crews from Chelmsford, one crew from Hawkwell, an incident command unit from Hawkwell and a crew from Tollesbury after the fire had spread to another two units and a derelict bungalow. The aerial ladder platform from Chelmsford was also called.

Currently the slip road from the A12 northbound into Witham is closed to traffic whilst firefighters remain at the scene. UK Power has also had to isolate the electricity in the area, meaning that around 10 properties are being affected by a power cut.

Group Manager Terry Povey said: “There is still smoke issuing from the fire so we’d advise people living in the area to keep their windows and doors closed which I know is difficult during this warm evening. We’d also like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to residents by the road closure and the power cuts but we are working to minimise disruption and deal with the incident as swiftly as we can.”

This incident is on-going. Further updates will be issued when we have them.