Industrial unit fire

Crews are currently at the scene of a fire in an industrial unit in Chelmsford. 

On arrival firefighters reported that the unit, which measures around 30m x 40m, was 70% alight and 100% smoke logged. 

At 5am Incident Commander Russ Freeman said:

"We quickly divided the unit into sections to tackle the fire and now our crews are working hard to bring the fire under control and stop it spreading to adjoining buildings. 

"We've currently got six crews working at ground level and one aerial ladder platform tackling the fire from above. 

"We expect to be here for some time before we are able to fully extinguish the fire so please avoid the area."

Update 7am

Crews have worked well to surround the fire and bring it under control. The fire is now almost out.

Four fire engines from Corringham, Billericay, Newport and Brightlingsea will now relieve current crews and take over the incident.

Please continue to avoid the area.  

Update 8am

Incident Commander Russ Freeman said:

"Crews have worked extremely hard to bring the fire under control and did a brilliant job of stopping it from spreading to adjacent buildings.

"Firefighters will remain on scene to remove roof panels and tackle any final remaining hot spots."

Officers will carry out an investigation into the cause when it is safe to do so. 

Update 11:30am

An investigation into the cause of the fire found that both accidental and deliberate causes were both possibilities. 

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Some of the firefighters at this incident are on-call firefighters; people who live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to attend incidents when called out by us.

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too.

Find out more about the role at essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call