Key Points
- Twenty firefighters were taken to hospital after a major fire and explosion at Highlands Farm near Rettendon in Essex.
- Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said more than 100 firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze on Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon.
- Three fire engines and two service vehicles were destroyed in the incident, according to Essex fire chief Rick Hylton.
- Firefighters were assessed for injuries including possible hearing damage, and all of those taken to hospital have now been discharged.
- The fire service said the incident was brought under control, but crews remained at the scene to monitor it.
- Residents nearby were told to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area while emergency crews dealt with the fire.
UK (Liverpool standard) July 25, 2026 — Essex County Fire and Rescue Service issued a major update after a large industrial fire at Highlands Farm near East Hanningfield and Rettendon caused a powerful explosion and sent firefighters to hospital. The service said the fire spread through an industrial unit and into a fertiliser store, creating what it described as a significant incident.
As reported by BBC News, Essex fire chief Rick Hylton praised crews for their “extraordinary professionalism, bravery, and dedication” after the scale of the blaze became clear. The fire service said more than 100 firefighters worked at the scene on Friday, with emergency crews fighting to contain the fire and stop it spreading to nearby buildings.
The incident drew a large emergency response because of the intensity of the fire and the danger posed by the fertiliser stock involved. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said residents in the surrounding area should keep their windows and doors closed and stay away if possible while crews dealt with the scene.
How serious was the explosion?
The explosion was serious enough to destroy three fire engines and two officer cars, according to Rick Hylton’s update. He said the damage showed the “scale and intensity” of the conditions crews faced while responding to the blaze.
The service also confirmed that 20 firefighters attended hospital after the incident, although only four suffered minor injuries and the rest were precautionary checks. Those checks included concerns such as possible hearing loss after the blast, and all 20 have now been discharged.
BBC News reported that the fire had been declared a major incident as crews battled the blaze at Highlands Farm. Other outlets said the blast was heard far beyond the immediate area and that smoke was visible across parts of Essex, underlining how widely the fire affected the surrounding community.
What did the fire chief say?
Rick Hylton’s update focused on both the scale of the incident and the welfare of staff who responded to it. He said the destruction of vehicles and the hospital checks for firefighters reflected the severity of the conditions on the ground.
He also recognised the work of firefighters and partner agencies who responded to the scene at Highlands Farm near East Hanningfield. The service said the fire had now been controlled, though crews would remain in place to deal with lingering risks and support the final stages of the response.
The live coverage said over 100 firefighters were involved, with a major incident declared because of the fire’s size and the explosion that followed. That response, combined with the destruction of emergency vehicles, made this one of the more serious fire service incidents in the area in recent memory.
Why was the area disrupted?
Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, became the focus of a wide emergency operation after the fire broke out. The fire service urged people living or travelling nearby to stay clear of the area and keep windows and doors shut because of smoke and the risk from the ongoing operation.
Reports from local and national media said the explosion shook houses and could be heard from several miles away. That level of disruption meant police and ambulance teams were also involved, with emergency services treating the incident as a significant and potentially dangerous event.
The combination of an industrial unit, fertiliser storage and a major fire created difficult conditions for responders. Even after the blaze was brought under control, the scene still required monitoring because industrial fires of this scale can leave behind hidden hotspots and structural dangers.
How were firefighters affected?
The clearest immediate impact was on the firefighters themselves. Essex fire chief Rick Hylton confirmed that 20 firefighters were taken to hospital after the incident, though the majority were there for precautionary observation rather than serious injury.
Four firefighters had minor injuries, while the others were checked for issues such as hearing loss after the explosion. The service later confirmed that everyone who attended hospital had been discharged, which suggests the injuries were not life-threatening.
The destruction of three fire engines and two officer cars also meant the service lost key response equipment during the incident. That loss may affect immediate operational capacity, even if only temporarily, because specialist appliances are central to large-scale fire response.
What happens next?
The immediate next step is likely to be a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire and explosion. The incident took place at a large industrial site near East Hanningfield and Rettendon, and the presence of fertiliser will make investigators especially careful about what started the blast.
Fire crews are expected to remain on site while the area is made safe and any remaining risks are removed. Even after a blaze is technically out, responders usually need time to search for hotspots, inspect damaged structures and secure the area for investigators.
Background of the development
The development began on Friday when Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called to a large industrial unit fire on Southend Road between East Hanningfield and Rettendon. The situation escalated quickly into a major incident after an explosion involved fertiliser stored at the site.
Early public warnings told nearby residents to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area. As the fire grew, more than 100 firefighters were deployed, showing how rapidly the incident moved beyond a routine industrial fire.
By Saturday, the chief fire officer had issued a formal update confirming the welfare of firefighters and the extent of the damage to fire service vehicles. That update shifted the focus from the immediate emergency response to accountability, safety, and the next phase of investigation.
Prediction for residents
For people living near Rettendon, East Hanningfield and the wider Essex area, the main short-term effect will be continued disruption around the site while investigators and crews finish their work. Road access, local travel and nearby farm or industrial operations may remain affected until the area is fully cleared.
The broader impact is likely to be a stronger focus on industrial safety and emergency planning around sites storing hazardous materials such as fertiliser. Residents may also see renewed concern about smoke, air quality and emergency response readiness after such a large-scale incident.
