Update: 0945 hrs
Update 07:30hrs – The incident has been scaled down, and only one fire engine is now needed. Firefighters from Rochford are at the scene using one hose reel jet. The crew report they are making steady progress.
Update 16:00hrs
– Crews from Great Dunmow, Braintree, Basildon and Harlow are continuing to tackle the fire using two main jets. A mechanical digger and specialist cutting equipment has been requested to help brake up the containers so firefighters can get to the seat of the fire.
Update: 1230 hrs
Early this morning fire crews were called to a fire involving a number of interlocked metal containers. On arrival crews reported the containers were 50 percent alight. The containers are thought to contain wood, fabric and plastic items.
Firefighters are using three hose reel jets, one main jet and one ground monitor to tackle the fire.
Update 05:00hrs – Crews from Brentwood, Rayleigh Weir and Bilericay have taken over at the scene and are continuing to tackle the fire.
Update 09:35hrs – Crews from Waltham Abbey, Rayleigh Weir, Wickford and Hawkwell are continuing to tackle the fire using three hose reel jets, on main jet and a ground monitor. The fire has effected ten containers.
Update 11:30hrs – Crews are continuing to tackle the fire.
Update 11:45hrs – This is expected to be a protracted incident as firefighters battle through heat and smoke to find the seat of the fire in containers filled with cloth and material.
Assistant Divisional Officer John Sherrington, incident commander, said: "Crews are likely to be here all day and potentially into the night as we continue to battle to find the seat of the fire to extinguish it.
"The situation crews are facing is a series of nine containers piled two high in the yard of a fabrics and material shop. The containers are all filled to the brim with linen, pillows and fabric and we know that at least four are alight.
"The difficulty we face is in gaining access to the containers to establish exactly where the fire is. They are all sealed and this is a deep-seated fire with the fire buried under piles of fabric.
"Crews are doing an excellent job in hot smoky conditions as we tackle this fire. We have cut holes in the sides of the containers to get access, allow the smoke to vent and to flood the containers with water."
1030 hrs
A number of shops on Grays High Street are closed.
Allcures Pharmacy is closed at the moment.
1000 hrs
Statement from Essex Fire Service
Early this morning fire crews were called to a fire involving five interlocked containers. On arrival crews reported the containers were 50 percent alight. The containers are thought to contain wood, curtains and plastic items.
Firefighters are using three hose reel jets, one main jet and one ground monitor to tackle the fire.
Update 05:00hrs – Crews from Brentwood, Rayleigh Weir and Bilericay have taken over at the scene and are continuing to tackle the fire.
Update 09:35hrs – Crews from Brentwood, Rayleigh Weir, Wickford and Hawkwell are continuing to tackle the fire using three hose reel jets, on main jet and a ground monitor. The fire has effected ten containers.
0800 hrs
WE have received a report of a fire on Grays High Street.
It is believed that the seat of the fire is a container at the back of one of the shops.
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