A HUGE blaze ravaged warehouses and spread to 15 vehicles as terrified residents heard “loud bangs” and were warned to keep their windows shut.
Fire crews were called to the horror inferno at a recycling centre on Hovefields Avenue, in Basildon, Essex at around 1.15am in the early hours of Saturday.
Locals reported hearing “loud bangs” from the scene and thick plumes of smoke could be seen billowing across the A127.
Some residents even said they could see it from neighbouring Kent.
A total of 12 fire crews were sent to tackle the flames, and this number has now been scaled back to five.
Residents are still being urged to keep their doors and windows shut and fire crews are expected to remain in the area across the weekend.
Motorists have also been warned to take extra care on the roads as smoke is expected to continue while the fire is extinguished.
Group Manager Steve Wintrip said: “Site staff are using a digger to move and break up the recycling so our crews can extinguish it.
“This will be a long process and we expect to be on site for at least another 48 hours.
“It will also continue to create a lot of smoke, so we would urge residents in Basildon and Wickford to keep doors and windows closed.”
A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called to Hovefields Avenue today (14 September) at 1.15am and two crews from Basildon attended.
“They found a unit approximately 50 metres by 40 metres, including warehouses and about 15 vehicles, fully alight and ten additional crews were requested.
“Crews from Billericay, Canvey, Corringham, Grays (two), Leigh, Orsett, Rayleigh Weir, Southend and Wickford, and two Aerial Ladder Platforms, are at the scene.”
Area Manager Craig McLellan said: “Crews are working extremely hard with site owners to remove vehicles and cylinders from the scene.
“We ask people to avoid the area while crews work to extinguish the fire.”
