DESPITE a belief that a leak that led to today's (Monday, 6 January) gas cloud escape from an industrial site in West Thurrock has been contained, fire officers have reiterated a warning to local residents to keep all windows and doors closed.

Speaking from the site at Stoness Road in West Thurrock this evening area manager at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Neil Fenwick said: "We understand that the cloud includes an amount of hydrochloloric acid.

"A 100 metre exclusion zone was created at the site earlier today as a precautionary measure.

"We now know that these fumes were caused by a tank that has failed, the leak is contained to within the site.

"Firefighters are now safely managing the leak and this process is expected to continue for some time.

"Six crews took over the incident at 8.30pm from the crews who initially attended.

"Emergency services are working hard to make the area safe again as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience. Road closures around the site continue to remain in place."