Huge blaze at Witham industrial estate tackled by 90 firefighters from across Essex

Firefighters have now extinguished a huge blaze at a Witham industrial site after spending all night at the scene.

Four crews plus an aerial ladder platform remain on site to monitor for hotspots.

Station Manager Jon Ford said: “We are likely to be here for most of the day but we have reopened the road so people can access the businesses. I would ask that anyone coming onto the estate should drive slowly and be aware that we are working in the area when they are using the road. The smoke is clearing but we’d ask that people nearby should still keep their windows and doors closed.”

An investigation into the cause of the fire will take place when it is safe to do so.

The four crews on scene this morning are from Coggeshall, Great Dunmow, Sible Hedingham and West Mersea Fire Stations.

A fire service spokesman said: "We'd also like to say a huge thanks to Community Foods Limited who have kindly supported our crews with refreshments, facilities and office space."

The incident was scaled back from 10pm last night dropping from 12 fire appliances at the scene to six, plus two aerial ladder platforms. 

Group Manager Ben Turner said last night: "We will be here overnight and carry on tomorrow morning in the daylight. Thank you to the public for their support and patience, our partners who have been working with us and the neighbouring businesses on the industrial estate who have offered their facilities to our firefighters.

"Crews have worked incredibly hard this evening as well as our control room colleagues who have been dealing with a large number of calls."

ABOUT 90 firefighters were dealing with the huge blaze at its height.

The blaze took hold at about 4:42pm on Friday, September 5 2025, at two premises at an industrial estate off Eastways in the Essex town.

Firefighters came from 11 fire stations across Essex.

Incident commander Group Manager Ben Turner said: "The fire has affected two premises, we have approx 90 firefighters dealing with the incident and it is generating a lot of smoke. There's a railway line that runs nearby and we are making sure that we are protecting the surrounding risk and working with our partner agencies to keep our community safe.

"We anticipate being here throughout the night and when it is safe to do so we will carry out a fire investigation with the police to make sure we understand the cause of the fire."

This fire began in an industrial building measuring 80 metres by 50 metres.

Firefighters have surrounded the fire and we are being supported at the scene by UK Power Networks.

A fire service spokesperson said: "The building is on an industrial estate and because we have multiple crews and equipment at the scene, Eastways is closed.

"Thanks to everyone for their patience and support whilst we deal with this incident. There is a lot of smoke so please do keep windows and doors closed if you are nearby."