Large fire breaks out at Shoeburyness industrial estate
- Published
Smoke plumes could be seen for miles around
About 50 firefighters tackled a large blaze at an industrial estate in Essex.
Plumes of black smoke from the fire at a building on Towerfield Road, Shoeburyness, were seen for miles.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service advised people living and working nearby to keep doors and windows closed.
Police said no-one was hurt in the fire, which started shortly before 11:00 BST and was brought under control by about 13:30.
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A spokesman said the fierce heat caused the roof of the building to collapse, meaning firefighters had not been able to enter.
A platform was used to spray water from above to dampen hotspots within the roof.
The roof of the building caved in during the blaze
Witness James Matthews said the fire was at a polystyrene factory on the estate.
"It just literally went up - it was like through the roof, through the windows - everything."
Ten crews were sent to the fire
He added: "The smoke stinks - they're toxic fumes - it's really heavy in the air."
He said Essex Police was at the scene and had blocked off Towerfield Road.
A witness said the blaze was at a polystyrene factory
At 16:45 Essex Fire Service confirmed the incident had been scaled down, but firefighters were still spraying water on the building to cool hotspots.
A full investigation will take place on Tuesday.