REPORTS have been made of a "loud bang" coming from Tilbury docks this morning.

Residents in Tilbury saw a large plume of smoke coming from one of the buildings at the docks just before 10am.

Pictures from the scene show smoking rising into the air.

Echo:

Reports online say the noise came from a grain silo.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service have confirmed they have sent four fire engines to the scene at the Tilbury Grain Terminal.

A spokesman said: "Crews were called to an incident at Tilbury Docks today at 9.55am. 

"On arrival, firefighters found a grain in a silo was on fire. Crews made sure the fire was under control but the grain is still smouldering.

"Two crews, from Grays and Orsett, remain at the scene and are working with site managers to remove the unaffected grain from the silo so it does not ignite.

"Crews are working with site managers to get the site back up and running and are liaising with Port of Tilbury Police to allow businesses back to their premises at the appropriate time."

Watch Manager Dave Bond said: “We’ve now reduced the number of crews needed to two, and these firefighters will continue to remove unaffected grain and allow the grain to smoulder in the top of the grain silo. 

“It was a great joint response from the Ambulance Service, Port of Tilbury Police, Fire Service and Port to control the incident and stop it from escalating.”

Echo:

More to follow.