A 100 metre exclusion zone was set up this evening (Monday, 6 January) as teams of emergency workers dealt with an incident following what appears to be a chemical leak from an industrial site in West Thurrock.

Essex Fire and Rescue Servicves have now added some detail to the incident, which was originally reported to have been at Oliver Road, but has now been confirmed as the adjacent to Stoneness Road.

The drama began this afternoon with reports of a cloud of fumes escaping from an industrial site.

A number of firefighting crews, including two specialist hazardous materials teams from Hadleigh, attended the scene.

Almost immediately the fire service issued a warning to residents to keep their windows and doors shut and for motorists to avoid the area.

As work to contain the incident continued the fire service announced that fire engines would arrive at 8.30pm to take over from the crews who initially attended.

A 100 metre exclusion zone remains in place at the scene.

And the fire service has repeated the message: "If you live nearby, please ensure that you remain indoors and keep windows and doors closed."

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