These dramatic images show eight lorries up in flames during a huge overnight blaze as the fire service has issued an update on its investigation.

The lorries were engulfed in an inferno as fire crews, from Orsett, Grays, Corringham and Basildon, rushed to the scene to contain the flames.

Echo: Inferno - one of the lorries up in flamesInferno - one of the lorries up in flames (Image: Essex Fire and Rescue Service / SWNS)

Essex Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of smoke in West Tilbury at about 11.45pm last night.

On arrival, two teams found eight lorries alight in a yard and had to request the help of four more crews.

Water had to be shuttled to the scene using a water bower from Corringham before crews were able to extinguish the flames.

Echo: Huge - fire crews worked quicklyHuge - fire crews worked quickly (Image: Essex Fire and Rescue Service / SWNS)

An investigation was carried out this morning to determine the cause of the fire.

An Essex Fire Service spokesman has now confirmed: "The cause of the fire could not be determined." 

Station Manager Dean Riley said this morning: “Crews worked quickly to establish a water supply and this helped firefighters contain the fire to the lorries and prevented it spreading to nearby units in the yard.”