Update 15:40 hrs: We have no information relating to the cause of the incident at this stage, nor the extent of damage. Firefighters are still applying foam to the fire and expect to be doing so for three to four hours. The fire remains under control and steady progress is being made. An eight pump and one aerial ladder platform relief is currently being organised to relieve crews currently at the scene.
Update 14:48 hrs: The fire is under control and steady progress is being made. Crews continue to work in arduous conditions inside the Power Station building – three aerial ladder platforms are in use and internal firefighting operations continue. ECFRS is looking to bring in additional stocks of foam. This is likely to remain a protracted incident.
Update: 1200 hrs: Press conference with Essex Chief Fire Officer expected at 1300 hrs
Chief Fire Officer describing it as the “most complex and challenging fire he has ever been at.”
Tilbury fort staff may have to evacuate.
Visually, the smoke has lessened but the smell in the area is considerable.
Update 1130 hrs: Footage of fire from a number of angles.
A few basics. No reports of any injuries. No reports of power problems. The main concern appears to be structural impact on fire.
YT is reporting from media centre at Worlds End pub and all is normal there.
Interview with chief fire officer, David Johnson.
Update: 1100 hrs
Chief Fire Officer David Johnson, Incident Commander, said that firefighting operations were being hindered by the fact that the fire is high up in the main structure of the building, making it difficult for crews to reach it. The whole of the building is heavily smoke logged and crews are devising a tactical plan to look at the safest possible way of getting foam onto the fire.
“The safety of our crews is paramount and because of the position of the fire and the structure of the building, it is not safe to commit them to the building immediately. We are getting as close as we can.
“The fire involves some 4,000 tonnes of fuel in storage cells – at least two are very well alight.
“The blaze is generating a significant amount of smoke, but it is the same kind of smoke as that from a bonfire so we do not feel it will be necessary to evacuate across a wider area. Anyone living nearby should close their windows if the smoke is causing them a problem.
“We have had to isolate several high voltage power cables affected by the fire. At the moment we have significant resources on site – around 15 appliances with some 100 firefighters, three aerial ladder platforms, two command units.”
UPDATE 09.10 hrs:
The officer in charge has reported that the fire is in a wood pellet hopper containing 2,100 tonnes of machinery and conveyance system. Crews report the area is well alight. Firefighters are tackling the blaze.
0830 hours
SEVENTEEN fire appliances have arrived at Tilbury fire station after reports of a “severe” fire.
A dedicated press centre has been set up.
More to follow.
I notice it is wood based, the same as the fire at RIO (Recycled in Orsett) earlier. This may be ‘enviroment friendly ‘ material, but is it safe and do the costs of safety outweigh the hazardous nature of the material.
Is this a step too far on envirronental products?.
Terry