Three fire engines and 20 UK firefighters injured in explosion
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ESSEX, UK — A massive industrial‑unit fire between East Hanningfield and Rettendon destroyed three fire engines, triggered a fertiliser explosion, and sent 20 firefighters to hospital, according to Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.
Crews were first called to Southend Road just before 5 p.m. on Friday, arriving to find multiple industrial units and nearby fields already alight. Fertiliser stored inside one of the buildings detonated less than an hour later, producing a huge fireball and mushroom cloud visible for miles and shaking buildings across the region.
The explosion forced commanders to declare a major incident, mobilising more than 100 firefighters and prompting evacuations of nearby homes. Residents were urged to keep windows closed as thick black smoke spread across the area.
Fire engines destroyed; firefighters injured
Chief Fire Officer Rick Hylton confirmed that three fire engines and two officer cars were destroyed by the blast and advancing flames — a rare and severe loss that underscores the intensity of the incident.
Twenty firefighters were taken to hospital; four suffered minor injuries, while the others underwent precautionary checks, including assessments for potential hearing damage from the explosion. All have since been discharged.
Fire now under control; investigation underway
By Saturday afternoon, the fire was declared under control, though crews remain on scene to extinguish hotspots and support the transition into the recovery phase. A formal investigation into the cause of the blaze — beyond the confirmed fertiliser involvement — is now underway. Officials have asked the public not to speculate until the inquiry is complete.
Further Reading:
https://www.aol.ca/articles/twenty-firefighters-taken-hospital-three-113546000.html