A fierce blaze which destroyed two units on an industrial estate in Braintree has now been extinguished by firefighters.
The fire at Springwood industrial estate, Springwood Drive, began at around 5.20am this morning and seven crews were sent to the scene.
The blaze affected a large industrial building which housed four units, and firefighters used aerial ladder platforms to fight the flames as well as tackling it with hoses from the ground.
The fire destroyed two units, which are used as a vehicle storage and a furniture warehouse, but firefighters were able to save the two other units in the building.
Smoke billowed from the blaze and could be seen for miles around – prompting Essex County Fire and Rescue Service to issue a warning to residents to close their windows and doors during the incident.
Environmental health specialists are in the area to monitor the situation but there is not thought to be any immediate health risk to members of the public.
An investigation will now be carried out to establish the cause of the fire, which is currently unknown.
Essex Police, who were also called to the scene, said all roads in and out of the area have been re-opened with the exception of Elliott Drive which runs immediately behind the units.
Mark Samuels, incident commander, said: “Firefighters worked extremely hard to stop this fire from spreading to the other two businesses in this large industrial unit.
“The first fire crews on scene very quickly requested extra fire engines and two aerial ladder platforms to tackle the fire and through their hard work we got on top on this incident very quickly.
“Unfortunately two units have been completely destroyed but we were able to save the other two units.”
A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Police were called to reports of a fire at Springwood Industrial Estate, Springwood Drive, shortly after 5.30am, this morning.
“The fire is believed to have started in one of the units and spread to a second.
“The fire has now been extinguished and all roads in and around the area have been re-opened with the exception of Elliott Drive which runs immediately behind the units.
“There is no immediate health risk to members of the public and environmental health specialists are in the area to monitor the situation.
“Advice has been given to nearby residents who may have been affected.
“Officers are working alongside Essex County Fire and Rescue to determine the cause of the fire.”
In an update issued by the fire service at 4pm on Saturday, one fire engine remained at the scene checking for remaining hotspots.
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