Rochford recycling centre fire cause under investigation

Investigators believe the blaze, which saw about 150 tonnes of waste become a mountainous inferno, was not started deliberately. 

But they have yet to discover the exact cause.

Firefighters rushed to the incident in Purdeys Way at 5.10pm on Wednesday – with more than a dozen 999 calls made about it by worried onlookers.

Residents in the surrounding area were advised to close their windows as plumes of thick smoke climbed into the sky.

Battle - firefighters were on site until 1.30am

“The air was thick with black smoke and a horrible smell,” eye-witness Aaron Chesham said.

“The firefighters didn’t let us get very close to the fire, but even from where I was just outside the recycling centre, the air was hard to breathe.

Crew - firefighters arrive at the scene. Pic: Aaron Chesham

“The smell of the burning rubbish was absolutely horrific and unlike anything I could even describe.”

He added: “Fire crews were very busy working to get the thing under control and did an excellent job.”

Teams from Southend, Leigh, Hawkwell and Shoebury fire stations worked alongside recycling centre staff to extinguish the fire in sections.

Staff at the site played a pivotal role in halting the spread of the flames by moving burning rubbish with cranes and diggers.

The teams battled the blaze for more than eight hours before finally bringing it under control, with Essex Fire confirming the flames were extinguished at 1.30am on Thursday.

Teams returned to the site at 8.30am today, to ensure the scene remained safe and to investigate the cause of the fire.

Watch Manager Dan Hart from Southend Fire Station said: “We want to send our thanks to the staff that worked with us throughout this large incident, particularly on the machinery.

“They made a huge contribution and without them crews would have been in attendance for days. They have saved the service a significant amount of resource and we are really grateful for their help.”