Massive fertiliser explosion leaves Essex farmland at risk

Firefighters are continuing to monitor scorched farmland around an Essex farm after a fertiliser explosion triggered one of the county’s most challenging fire incidents in recent years.

Fifteen firefighters remained at Highlands Farm, near the village of Rettendon, overnight on Sunday 26 July, more than 48 hours after a major blaze tore through industrial units and spread into surrounding fields.

Crews have been cooling hotspots and watching for secondary fires, with strong winds and fire-prone farmland making it difficult to fully secure the site.

See also: How to protect your farm from fire risk and stay legal

Paul Champ, a station manager from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Crews have been working throughout the day to make sure secondary fires have been prevented as it’s been windy at the site and lots of fields around us are tinder dry.”

The fire broke out at about 4.50pm on Friday 24 July at a large industrial unit on Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon. The fire spread to a fertiliser store at Highlands Farm.

Major incident declared

More than 100 firefighters were deployed as flames affected several buildings and surrounding farmland.

Three fire engines and two officer cars were destroyed, while 20 firefighters were taken to hospital.

Four suffered minor injuries and the remainder underwent precautionary checks, including for possible hearing damage. All have since been discharged.

The massive explosion and fire led to a major incident being declared by the fire service.

© Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

© Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

Chief fire officer Rick Hylton described the incident as one of the service’s “most challenging and complex” in recent years.

The main fire is now under control, but crews are remaining on site to tackle hotspots and protect surrounding farmland.

The latest update said Southend Road remained closed and access to the site restricted.

‘Tinder dry’ fields

© Yedis Droneshots

For local farmers and landowners, the immediate concern remains fire spread.

With fields described by firefighters as “tinder dry”, crews are expected to continue monitoring the site over the coming days.

The cause of the fire is under formal investigation and the fire service has warned against speculation.

The UK Health Security Agency has assessed the overall public-health risk from smoke and debris as low.