Shoeburyness fire: Blaze at packaging firm 'accidental'

A large fire at an industrial estate was caused by accident, an investigation has found.

Plumes of black smoke were seen for miles on Monday after the fire at Advanced Protective Packaging on Towerfield Road in Shoeburyness, Essex.

The building was destroyed in the fire, which began at 11:00 BST and was under control by 13:30. No-one was hurt.

Essex Fire Service said the fire was caused accidentally by a fault within a machine used to cut polystyrene.

Advanced Protective Packaging, which also has a site in Manchester, has been approached for comment.

Plumes of smoke were seen for miles around

The roof of the building caved in during the blaze

Ten crews were sent to the fire