Fire spreads from industrial unit to lorries and skips in Basildon

Essex fire and Rescue service are at the scene of fire which broke out at an industrial unit in Vange Park Road, Basildon, this afternoon, spreading to several lorries and skips.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 2:20pm. Four fire crews from Basildon, Brentwood and Canvey attended initially, with further crews from Grays, Rayleigh and Southend requested shortly after to assist in tackling the fire.

Crews managed to extinguish the fire within the building and put out four lorry fires. Work is ongoing to fully extinguish fires still burning inside a number of skips on site.

Firefighters are working with site staff, using plant machinery to remove the skips and access the remaining hotspots.

Group Manager Mark Eaglestone said: “We expect to be on scene for a while extinguishing the fires within the skips which will be producing lots of smoke. Please continue to keep your windows and doors closed if you live nearby.”

The UK Health Security Agency says "If people are outdoors near the Fire in Basildon they should avoid/limit time spent in the areas affected by smoke.

"Substances in smoke can worsen health problems like asthmas & heart conditions, so people should carry their medication if nearby"

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