Explosion and fire at Essex industrial unit shakes homes

A major explosion and fire at an industrial unit in Essex on the evening of July 24, 2026, prompted a massive emergency response and was felt by residents across a wide area. The blast occurred at a site on Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, near Chelmsford, shortly before 6 p.m.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service confirmed over 100 firefighters were deployed to tackle what they described as a "large industrial unit fire." Initial efforts focused on preventing flames from spreading to neighboring commercial units and farm properties. The service repeatedly urged residents and travelers to avoid the area and to keep windows and doors closed due to the large plume of smoke billowing from the scene.

Residents across Essex and as far as East London reported hearing a powerful explosion and feeling their homes shake. Social media was flooded with accounts describing a loud boom that rattled windows and shook the ground. One resident from Ashingdon said the blast sounded "like a bomb went off," while another from the Galleywood area of Chelmsford reported hearing windows shake and feeling the floor vibrate. Witnesses reported the explosion was audible up to 15...