Firefighters are currently responding to a significant incident involving a large industrial unit in Essex, England. The blaze, located on Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, prompted an emergency response Friday afternoon.
Residents in the vicinity reported hearing sounds described as an explosion. One individual told the BBC it was akin to "like a bomb" going off. Essex County Fire & Rescue Service advised people to stay away from the affected area and to close windows and doors if they live or are traveling nearby.
The East of England Ambulance Service confirmed it was also present at the scene, responding to the "significant incident."
Witnesses located miles away reported feeling the effects of the incident. Adrian Walker, 46, from Ashenden, approximately 15 miles from the site, stated that "the ground shook, buildings shook, windows rattled, birds flew off." Another local resident, David Harris from Rayleigh, described the sound as being "like someone had dropped a pile of bricks" outside his window.