FIREFIGHTERS were last night tackling a major blaze at a warehouse in Great Bentley.Emergency services were called to the Great Bentley Business Park in Plough Road at around 6pm after smoke was seen coming from a building.

FIREFIGHTERS were last night tackling a major blaze at a warehouse in Great Bentley.

Emergency services were called to the Great Bentley Business Park in Plough Road at around 6pm after smoke was seen coming from a building.

Initial reports suggested there could be someone trapped inside and firefighters wearing special breathing apparatus entered the premises.

Fire crews from Weeley, Brightlingsea, Clacton and Colchester were joined by the aerial ladder platform in Chelmsford as they attempted to tackle the blaze.

However last night Sgt Michael Harridge, who with other police officers had sealed off the area, said the four people with official access to the unit - believed to be a car repair shop- had been accounted for.

Speaking at the scene, shortly after 9pm, he said that although firefighters had managed to search the ground floor of the premises they had not been able to access the top floor.

“I understand it is still ablaze at the moment,” he said.

“The units next door to the original scene of the fire have also been damaged. One is a fire shop, and the other a kitchen place. We understand there may be some gas cylinders in there and that is a concern.”

A crowd of local people had assembled at the end of the road leading into the business park.

One said: “I got here at 7.25pm and it was ablaze. It seemed to get worse but I didn't hear any explosions but I have heard there might be gas canisters in there.”