Fire at recycling centre

Firefighters were called to reports of a fire in a large recycling centre in Basildon this afternoon.

When fire crews arrived, they reported a large pile of recycling waste was alight inside the building. Firefighters worked with on-site staff to develop a plan to safely remove the waste and extinguish it effectively.

Firefighters requested two additional fire crews to assist with extinguishing the fire, once it had been removed from the building. Control staff were able to strategically select two fire engines to attend the incident which would maintain sufficient fire cover equally around the county. South Woodham Ferrers and Leaden Roding firefighters were deployed to assist with the fire.

Update 7pm - Firefighters are making good progress extinguishing the fire. The current four fire engines will be relieved by two fire engines shortly to continue extinguishing the fire.

Update - Monday 20 Janaury - An investigation is taking place to find the cause of the fire.