Essex firefighters tackling blaze at Hanningfield industrial unit
A massive fire at an industrial site in Essex, England, caused a significant explosion after flames reached a store of fertilizer. Emergency services declared a major incident, though no casualties were reported and the fire was eventually contained.
Why it matters
The incident highlights industrial safety risks and the significant economic impact on local businesses whose facilities were destroyed.
Figure caption, Watch: Moment of explosion as huge fire breaks out at Essex industrial site
A huge explosion triggered by a fire spreading to a store of fertiliser tore through an industrial unit in Essex on Friday, with more than 100 firefighters sent to tackle a massive fire and a "major incident" declared.
Footage which captured the moment of the explosion showed a ball of flames erupting into the air and people fleeing, while witnesses told BBC News the sound was "like a bomb" and as loud as a "sonic boom".
A number of buildings and vehicles on farmland were gutted by the fire, which was expected to keep burning into Saturday.
People living near the fire - which happened close to the village of Rettendon, south of Chelmsford - were urged to keep their windows closed as smoke spread.
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