Firefighters tackle 'major' blaze as five lorries carrying 45,000 litres of petrol and diesel burst into flames

Fuel tankers carrying 45,000 litres of kerosene and diesel were destroyed in an industrial estate fire that caused disruption for rail passengers.

Five of the vehicles were reduced to scrap metal in the blaze near the River Thames in Essex, described as a "major incident" by police.

Huge plumes of smoke could be seen for miles as the fire raged on Wednesday night.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) said they were called to Botany Way, Purfleet, at 9.44pm.

Incident commander Martyn Hare said: "When we arrived at the incident we found all five fuel lorries well alight. The smoke could been seen from miles away, and we immediately ordered our specialist appliances including the foam unit to help tackle the fire.

"A total of five fuel lorries were involved with the fire. One lorry was empty, the other four lorries had a combined load of 45,000 litres of fuel (diesel and kerosene).

"Our priorities were to contain the fire and not let it spread to the surrounding area. We also had to make sure we contained the water running off the fire to minimise the impact on the environment.

"Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire extremely quickly."

Rail services were halted on a branch of the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway for several hours while firefighters tackled the blaze close to the busy line.

Four fire engines and a number of specialist fire appliances including a foam lorry were involved in the operation.

Essex Police tweeted that officers were "at the scene of a major incident involving a fire at a site in the Botany Way area of Purfleet."

Photos posted on social media showed huge plumes of billowing black smoke coming from the site.

ECFRS said there were no reported injuries and the blaze was extinguished by around 2am on Thursday

An investigation will take place to establish the cause of the fire.

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