PHOTO: Gas explosion at commercial premises

Update: 

An investigation into the cause of the gas explosion found it was accidental. 

The Fire Service recommends residents recognise the importance of gas safety:

Station Manager Toby Ingham from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "Anyone who uses gas in their home needs to be aware of the gas risks and how to keep safe. Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances and installations can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. To keep your household running safely we recommend you have your gas appliances checked every year by a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. If you rent your home this is your landlord’s responsibility. If you have a gas emergency, you can call the Gas Emergency hotline on 0800 111 999 as well as the Emergency Services.

"We also recommend you have a working Carbon Monoxide alarm if you have any gas appliances in your home."

Update:

Crews left the incident at 6pm and the area has reopened.

Crews are at the scene of a gas explosion at a commercial premises in Southend Road, Grays. We were called at 2.25pm with firefighters from Grays and Orsett in attendance.

No one is believed to have been injured. There was damage to the windows and nearby cars.

We have requested the attendance of the gas company and are working with colleagues at Essex Police who are also at the scene.

The road is closed and is likely to remain shut for several hours.

An investigation into the cause is being carried out.

This is a live incident and updates will follow.