Twenty firefighters taken to hospital after explosion in Essex
Twenty firefighters were hospitalized following a major explosion at a fertilizer store in Essex, UK. While the incident was described as highly complex, all affected personnel have since been discharged after receiving medical attention.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the extreme risks faced by emergency responders during industrial fires and the potential for secondary explosions in chemical storage facilities.
Figure caption, Watch: Aerial view captures scale of Essex blaze
Twenty firefighters were taken to hospital after a blaze ripped through an industrial unit and spread to a fertiliser store, triggering a major explosion.
The fire service declared a major incident on Friday, as more than 100 firefighters tackled the flames at Highlands Farm, near the village of Rettendon, Essex.
Three fire engines and two fire service cars were destroyed in the blaze.
Speaking at a media conference on Saturday, Rick Hylton, Essex's chief fire officer, praised the "remarkable professionalism, courage and commitment" of the fire crews.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Fire chief Rick Hylton has urged the public not to speculate on the cause of the fire while an investigation is under way
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