Firefighters from across Essex are engaged in a major battle against a significant blaze that has erupted at an industrial estate in Witham. The fire, which broke out on Tuesday afternoon, has sent a huge plume of thick, black smoke billowing into the sky, visible for miles across the county.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on Braintree Road following multiple calls from the public just after 3:30 PM. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has deployed a substantial number of resources to tackle the inferno, including multiple fire engines, an aerial ladder platform, and a water bowser.
Emergency Response and Public Health Warning
A spokesperson for the fire service confirmed they are working tirelessly to bring the large-scale fire under control. Due to the significant amount of smoke produced by the blaze, a crucial public health warning has been issued.
Local residents are being strongly advised to take immediate precautions:
- Stay indoors and keep all windows and doors firmly closed.
- Avoid the area entirely to allow emergency services unimpeded access.
- Those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, should be particularly cautious.
Travel Chaos and Road Closures
The incident has caused severe disruption to the local transport network. Braintree Road has been completely closed in both directions between the Cressing Road roundabout and the Powers Hall End junction. Motorists are being urged to avoid the area and seek alternative routes, as significant traffic delays are expected to continue for some time.
Essex Live has dispatched a reporter to the scene to gather more information on the cause of the fire and the ongoing firefighting efforts. The scale of the response indicates the seriousness of the incident, with crews expected to remain on site throughout the evening.
This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available from the emergency services.
