Update at 10pm – Firefighters continued tackling the fire and cooling the cylinders throughout the evening.
Crews also assisted the Environment Agency who completed an assessment of the site and confirmed they were happy with the control measures put in place by the fire service.
The fire was extinguished by 9pm.
An investigation into the cause will take place tomorrow (Wednesday 22 February).
1730 hrs
Insp Rob Brettell @InspBrettell states on Twitter: “#jesip meeting concluded with @ECFRS – still danger from unexploded gas canisters #A128 will be closed for rush hour please take alt route.”
1700 hrs
Firefighters have the fire under control and are continuing to tackle it from a number of different angles. The building contains a number of cyclinders and other potentially hazardous materials (which are normally found in a workshops, i.e. fuel, diesel and oil), which are being monitored closely.
Firefighters initially had difficulties establishing a good water supply, so crews are using the Service’s Water Bowser (which is a vehicle which carries a large volume of water) and relaying back and forth to a water hydrant along the main road.
1630 hrs
ESSEX Firefighters have been called to an incident involving a large timber framed building used as a warehouse and offices.
When crews arrived, they requested the attendance of additional fire engines to assist at the incident.
Five fire engines and a number of specialist appliances are in attendance including a Water Bowser (Chelmsford), Hose Layer (Rayleigh Weir) and Incident Command Unit (Basildon).
The incident is ongoing. More information will be added when available.
YT also understands that the road (the A128) is closed in both directions between Church Road and the A127 due to a building fire.
