FIRE crews have tackled a blaze at an industrial estate in Chelmsford which at its height was being tackled by 14 fire crews from across the county.

Annie Davidson

FIRE crews have tackled a blaze at an industrial estate in Chelmsford which at its height was being tackled by 14 fire crews from across the county.

The fire started at about 11.15am at Foremans Packaging in Farrow Road on the Widford Industrial Estate and is now subject to a fire and police investigation.

Firefighters from Chelmsford, Colchester, Great Baddow, Braintree, Witham, Ingatestone, Basildon, Harlow, Billericay and South Woodham Ferrers tackled the blaze.

The Essex Police helicopter was also launched to help guide the firefighters using thermal imaging cameras.

Divisional officer Mick Osborne said: “The owners of the site should be commended for carrying out a swift and efficient evacuation of staff.

“They followed all evacuation procedures down to the letter to ensure the safety of everyone inside the building at the time.”

“This is a huge warehouse, effectively made up of four very large individual units with a high pitched roof and containing timber and packaging, so there was enormous potential for rapid spread.

“Firefighters did a fantastic job in ensuring the fire did not spread outside of the storage area where the incident began and indeed, managed to save half of that building along with adjacent units and other surrounding risks. A first class job.”