Fertiliser blast triggers major fire in southeast England, prompting evacuations PHOTO/VIDEO

More than 100 firefighters were deployed after a massive fire at an industrial site in Essex, in southeast England, triggered a powerful fertiliser explosion, prompting evacuations and the declaration of a major incident, authorities said.

The blaze broke out near the village of Rettendon, south of Chelmsford, on July 24. During firefighting operations, fertiliser stored inside one of the industrial units exploded, sending a large fireball into the air and producing a blast that was heard and felt across parts of the county, BBC reports.

Videos shared on social media captured the moment of the explosion, showing flames shooting high into the sky as people fled the area. Witnesses described the blast as sounding "like a bomb" or a "sonic boom."

The fire destroyed several industrial buildings as well as vehicles on nearby farmland. Thick smoke spread across the surrounding area, prompting officials to advise nearby residents to keep their windows and doors closed.

Dave Bond of the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said everyone at the scene was accounted for and safe, although nearby residents had been evacuated as a precaution. As of Friday evening, July 24, authorities had not reported any casualties.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

By the morning of July 25, the emergency response had been scaled back, with around 25 firefighters, supported by specialist officers and technical advisers, remaining at the site to extinguish hotspots. Fire crews were expected to remain on scene throughout the day as smoke continued to rise from the affected area.

Residents across a wide area reported feeling the impact of the explosion, with some saying that the force of the blast shook the ground, rattled windows, and startled wildlife 24 kilometres from the site. 

By Sabina Mammadli