Residents in Essex told 'close doors and windows' as huge fire threatens supermarket

Residents in a Southend area were urged to keep their windows and doors closed after a massive fire erupted at an outbuilding. The incident, reported in Eastern Avenue, was tackled by the team of Essex County Fire & Rescue Service.

Authorities advised people who live close to the scene of the fire to keep their windows and doors closed. The fire involved a large pile of rubbish, some trees, and a small building, all of which were ablaze. Incident Commander Dean Riley said as the fire was still ongoing: "Crews arrived to a well developed fire which was spreading from an outbuilding to a pile of rubbish and nearby trees. Firefighters have worked hard in very warm weather conditions to surround the fire and stop it from spreading to nearby buildings and a supermarket.

"A fire investigation into the cause will be carried out when it is safe to do so." The incident was closed by the fire services at around 9.30pm.

Earlier in the day, reports emerged of a major fire near the former Southend United Training Ground, as the rescue services rushed to the scene. The fire was speculated to have broken out between Waitrose and B&Q.

The fire broke out at 11.26pm last night and was being tended to this morning with "lots of smoke" still in the area. Overnight the fire service warned people who lived nearby to keep their houses secured so smoke does not get in.

Crews from six different fire stations attended the scene. A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said last night: "Firefighters are currently at the scene of a warehouse fire on Airborne Industrial Estate, Southend.

"If you live in the nearby area please keep your windows and doors shut as there is a lot of smoke coming from the incident. It is a warehouse approximately 60m by 60m which is full of smoke.

"Crews are likely to remain at the incident until the morning. A fire investigation into the cause will be carried out when it is safe to do so."