Rotting smell persists from fire-damaged food unit

Crews from seven stations tackled the fire in Southend-on-Sea in August

A rotting smell coming from a food warehouse that caught fire had become "deeply concerning" for residents, a council leader said.

Food has been decomposing inside the Metrow Foods unit in Southend-on-Sea since the blaze on 15 August.

Southend-on-Sea City Council said despite ordering the company to make urgent improvements in September, the bad smells had persisted.

Metrow Foods, which employs more than 100 people, previously described the situation as "complex" to resolve.

Items kept at the large warehouse in Airborne Close included cheese, meats, seafood and vegetables, according to its website.

Seven fire crews attended the blaze, which broke out at about 23:30 BST, and remained at the scene for three days.

It caused serious damage to the building, disturbing asbestos insulation and cutting power.

"This led to the decomposition of a large amount of food stored inside, creating unpleasant smells and environmental concerns," the Labour-run council said.

Crews had to cut ventilation holes into the warehouse

The authority served an abatement notice on Metrow Foods on 19 September and gave it a "reasonable amount of time" to make improvements - but this deadline has since passed.

It said it had been considering legal action over a potential breach of the notice.

"This is a deeply concerning situation for residents," said council leader Daniel Cowan.

"We are in ongoing discussions with the company and are considering the council's legal position and what further action can be taken to ensure this issue is resolved.

"We remain committed to holding the company causing the nuisance to account and to finding a solution and minimising the unpleasant situation that residents are experiencing."

The council said Metrow Foods previously stated: "The complexity of the situation has delayed full compliance with the abatement notice."

The company has been contacted for comment.