FIREFIGHTERS are battling to extinguish a fire at a scrap yard in Essex tonight.

FIREFIGHTERS are battling to extinguish a fire at a scrap yard in Essex tonight.

Three crews and a foam tender were called to the incident at Whitings scrap yard, Elmstead Market, near Colchester, at 7.19pm.

They are using breathing apparatus and three hose reel jets, as well as a foam jet to stop the 50m by 50m fire spreading.

At 9.55pm Sub Officer Holding, in charge at the scene, said: “Steady progress is being made. As this is a protracted incident fire crews are expected to remain at the incident throughout the night.”