FIRE crews battled a huge blaze at an industrial unit feared to contain deadly asbestos.

The blaze broke out at about 1am on Wednesday in Durham Road, Laindon.

Eight units from Basildon, Billericay, Wickford, Corringham, Orsett, Brentwood, Chelmsford and Grays worked until 3.30pm to extinguish the flames.

They were still there at 4pm yesterday, dealing with remaining hotspots.

The fire is believed to have started at the Empire building. The firm sell adhesives, sealants and asbestos consumables. It is not known whether any asbestos products were on site at the time.

Witness Billy Taylor, 18, of Brownlow Green, Basildon, said: “I was driving past Laindon train station at around 1.30 am and I could smell the smoke.

“I arrived at the scene at 1.45pm and the fire had been going for nearly 45 minutes according to other residents watching.

“The building had already collapsed and the flames were nearly 30 metres high. It wasn’t until they had an aerial platform, that the fire started to calm down. There were multiple fire units there.”

Mr Taylor added: “The owner was at the scene, he was devastated that his livelihood was being destroyed.”

Essex Fire Service said the incident produced a lot of smoke and residents in Laindon were advised to keep windows and doors closed.

Councillor Stephen Hodge said he was called down to the scene by worried residents.

He said: “After reports from concerned residents and business owners I attended the scene this morning and spoke with police, fire officials and Basildon Council’s Health and Safety Manager who had been on the scene since 3am.

“They are still carrying out asbestos tests, air and ground, but believe that it is very low risk and the area should be open later today.”

Police were also on scene and had taped the surrounding area to avoid any passers-by gaining entry to the industrial estate.

An employee on site said: “We arrived this morning to be told that we couldn’t go into the site, I think it’s because of asbestos.”