Firefighters are tackling a blaze at Harwich International Port.
Three crews are on site trying to put out a fire which has engulfed 4,000 tonnes of wood chip.
Essex Fire Service was called just before 6am and sent two crews from Dovercourt and one from Manningtree to the incident.
A monitor (water cannon) is being used to prevent the fire from spreading while jets are also being prepared as a precaution.
An Essex Fire Service spokesman said: “Crews are working with the owners on site to get some JCBs to move the wood chip and divide it up.”
Crews have said the pile is smouldering in several places.
They await the arrival of heavy machinery to expose the smouldering patches so they can be extinguished.
It is not known how long it will take to put out the fire or what caused it.
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