HUNDREDS of litres of fuel have leaked at a depot in south Essex.

A big emergency presence has been spotted in Oliver Road near West Thurrock throughout the morning.

Essex Fire Service says more than 10 crews are dealing with the incident.

They were called to a fuel depot around 10.18am this morning amid reports around 600 litres of fuel had leaked.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “A total of 11 appliances are in attendance, including three specialist foam units and the Incident Command Unit from Hawkwell.

“Firefighters are working with on-site engineers who are trying to isolate the leak.

“The fuel is contained in a 12 metre by 10 metre bund - a structure built around the fuel tank to contain spills and leaks - and firefighters are covering it in a layer of foam.”

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Crews from Grays, Orsett, Rayleigh Weir, Corringham, Stansted and Hawkwell are all at the scene.

Three teams from the urban search and rescue unit have also been called to the incident.

Update 12.40pm

On-site engineers have isolated the leak and a blanket of foam has been applied to the fuel.

The estimated amount of fuel which has leaked is 3,000 litres.

Firefighters will remain at the scene while the recovery operation continues.