More than 100 fire crew had responded to the fire, which followed an explosion heard across the county thought to have come from the unit, which housed fertiliser.

Fire crews are tackling a massive fire on Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon in Essex, with residents across the county reporting they felt the explosion

A huge explosion has rocked homes across Essex after a huge blaze erupted at an industrial unit in Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, Essex.

Locals said an explosion shook houses in the area

Nearby residents have been evacuated while the fire is being extinguished.