PHOTOS: Fire at recycling centre

Update 7pm

Firefighters remain at the scene extinguishing this large fire in sections.

The incident has been scaled down to three crews who are working with Extreme Rescue to use diggers to pull some of the clothing away and dampen it down.

Station Manager Nick Singleton, Incident Commander said: “ I want to say a big thank you to the crews who attended this incident, all from on-call stations.

“They worked really hard in blistering conditions and very hot work. They've done very well to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading into the woodlands and further onto the fields as well.

“Please continue to keep your windows and doors shut as there is still quite a considerable amount of smoke coming from the scene

“There is also a public footpath which runs just behind the fire, so all we're asking is that residents and people who are walking on that public footpath if you could just give us some space to allow us to operate on the scene safely and to keep your safety in mind as well.”

We’re currently at the scene of a large fire at a recycling centre in Bocking.

Our control room received more than 60 calls to this incident. The fire is producing lots of smoke, please avoid the area and if you live nearby, please keep your windows and doors shut.

Six on-call crews were called to a recycling centre in Bocking between Convent Lane and the A131 at Marks Farm.

On arrival, crews reported that approximately 600 tonnes of waste clothing is alight.

Crews are working to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby woodland and are working to extinguish the fire in sections. 

Please avoid the area while we deal with this incident.

We will provide updates when we can.

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Many of the firefighters at this incident are on-call firefighters - they all live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to protect their community. 

Do you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station? You could be an on-call firefighter. 

Find out more about the role and how to apply at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call