Twenty firefighters were hospitalised following a significant blaze at an industrial site near Rettendon village in Essex, which escalated after spreading to a fertiliser storage unit, causing a major explosion on Friday.
The Essex County Fire and Rescue Service declared the event a major incident as more than 100 firefighters battled the rapidly intensifying fire at Highlands Farm, located on Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon.
During the incident, three fire engines and two fire service vehicles were destroyed. Chief Fire Officer Rick Hylton commended the crews for their "remarkable professionalism, courage and commitment," describing the operation as one of the most complex in recent years.
Of the 20 firefighters taken to hospital, four sustained minor injuries, while sixteen were assessed for potential issues such as hearing loss due to the explosion. All have since been discharged.
The fire was first reported at approximately 16:50 BST. Firefighters encountered a fast-moving, large blaze. At 17:46 BST, the fertiliser unit exploded, with witnesses likening the sound to a bomb or sonic boom and describing hot debris falling from the sky.
As of Saturday, around 25 firefighters remained onsite to manage the remaining hotspots. An official investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing, alongside recovery operations to support affected local businesses.
