Fire crews check hotspots at major explosion site

Firefighters have been monitoring "hotspots" at the scene of a major explosion.

It was triggered on Friday when a fire ripped through an industrial unit and spread to a fertiliser store at Highlands Farm, near the village of Rettendon, Essex.

Essex Fire Service said 15 firefighters spent Sunday monitoring hotspots and "working to cool the area to protect surrounding trees and farmland".

Paul Champ, a station manager, said crews had been making sure "secondary fires" had been prevented "as it's been windy at the site and lots of fields around us are tinder dry".

• 'It was like a movie - I looked up and an exploded barn rained on me'

He added: "We know this is impacting lots of residents and local businesses and we'd like to thank the local community for their continued patience while we work to make the scene safe."

More than 100 firefighters were sent to the "major incident" on farmland between East Hanningfield and Rettendon.

Three fire engines and two fire service cars were destroyed in the blaze.

Witnesses told the BBC the explosion sounded "like a bomb" and likened it to a "sonic boom".

Twenty firefighters were taken to hospital but all have been discharged. Four had minor injuries, 16 had routine checks for hearing damage.

In a media conference on Saturday, Essex's chief fire officer Rick Hylton praised the "remarkable courage" of his firefighters.

A fire investigation is under way.

Southend Road is still closed and access to the site remains restricted.

The fire service said recovery information for residents and businesses would be coordinated by Chelmsford City Council.

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