SEVEN crews of firefighters were called to tackle a blaze at a waste recycling site in West Thurrock this morning (Wednesday, 6 May).

The alarm was raised just after 3am at the site on Oliver Close close to the high speed rail link tunnel under the Thames.

On arrival, crews reported seeing smoke coming from the building on-site (which measured approximately 60m x 60m)

Crews worked to extinguish the fire within the building, which is a rubbish pile measuring 15m x 15m, a mechanical digger was used to remove rubbish from the building to dampen down outside as firefighters extinguished the fire in sections.

Residents were advised to keep windows and doors shut.

Nearby industrial sites were evacuated and access to Oliver Close sealed off by police which caused a significant build up of lorries around the scene of the incident.