Firefighters Contain Scrap Metal Blaze at East Tilbury Recycling Centre

Firefighters from the Essex Fire and Rescue Service have successfully contained a fire involving a substantial quantity of scrap metal at a recycling centre in East Tilbury. The incident unfolded on Thursday evening when emergency services were alerted at 20:16 GMT to a blaze on Station Road.

Initially, residents in the vicinity were advised to keep their windows and doors closed due to the heavy smoke emanating from the site. The fire service reported that a significant amount of smoke was visible, prompting the precautionary measures.

By 22:50 GMT, an update from the fire service confirmed that the flames had been surrounded and were under control. However, four fire engines remained on site overnight to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the area.

The fire primarily involved a large quantity of scrap metal, which posed unique challenges for the firefighting teams. A specialist crane was deployed to assist in moving the scrap metal, allowing firefighters to effectively access and extinguish hotspots within the blaze.

As the situation developed, the Essex Fire and Rescue Service noted that smoke levels in the area had decreased significantly and reported no wider impact on the surrounding community.

The response team worked diligently throughout the night, demonstrating their commitment to ensuring public safety and managing the incident effectively. For ongoing updates, residents are encouraged to follow local news outlets and the official Essex County Fire and Rescue Service channels.