MORE than 40 firefighters were despatched by Essex Fire and Rescue after explosions and a huge fire were reported at a Thurrrock scrap processing plant.

The alarm was raised around midnight when the fire at the EMR yard on Station Road between East and West Tilbury was spotted.

An early statement from the fire service said: "Around 40 firefighters are currently tackling a fire involving 4,000 tonnes of scrap metal at a recycling centre in Station Road, East Tilbury.

"If you're nearby and affected by smoke, please close your windows and doors."

While firefighters were tackling the blaze, Station Road was closed to through traffic.

The site was the scene of two major fires last year, in December and October. And there have been previous blazes at the processing works.

After last December's fire, operators EMR apologised to residents for the disturbance and thanked firefighters for their efforts. The cause of the previous fires was attributed to lithium-ion batteries and EMR repeated warnings to the public to be careful how they dispose of them.

A cause has not yet been given for today's blaze.

While firefighters within the yard concentrated on tackling the scrap blaze, some firefighters were deployed across a wider area to guard against the possibility of the fire spreading into neighbouring fields as embers descended from the huge smoke plume that rose above the countryside.

Water bowsers were at the scene and a service spokesperson said: "It's gone to 40 firefighters mainly for water supply at the moment so they can keep protecting those surrounding risks like the nearby fields etc."

Update at 6am from Essex Fire & Rescue.

"Around 40 firefighters have been working throughout the night to tackle a fire at a recycling centre in Station Road, East Tilbury.

"Crews have been working with site staff using diggers to pull apart around 1,000 tonnes of scrap metal involved in the fire."

Group Manager Scott Ford said: "Thanks to the site staff for their help throughout the night to pull the pile apart so we can extinguish the fire in sections. We've had a difficult water supply at the scene.

"We're making steady progress to put the fire out and that is creating lots of smoke this morning.

"If you live nearby and are affected by the smoke, please close your windows and doors."

EMR, which also operates a plant at the Port of Tilbury, is no stranger to scrap fires. As well as the three recent incidents at Station Road, Nub News has reported on blazes at the docks site, most notably in 2024 and only last month.

The proximity of the EMR site to the c2c rail link, caused disruption to train services. c2c introduced a shuttle bus replacement service between local stations but normal service was resumed around 10.30am.

There are other disruptions on the line further west because of planned engineering works, with buses replacing trains between Grays and Upminster.

At the EMR site crews remain at the scene and continue to work with site staff to safely extinguish the fire.

Update at 8pm:

FIREFIGHTERS are set to spend a second night at a borough scrap recycling site as they deal with a huge fire that began around midnight.

Thurrock Nub nNews reported live from the scene of the blaze at the EMR site on Station Road between East Tilbury and West Tilbury in the early hours of this morning (Sunday, 9 August) and we have issued updates through the day.

At the peak, more than 40 firefighters were tackling the flames, though the number dropped to around 25 during the days as it was contained and managed.

This evening Essex Fire and Rescue reported that crews will remain on scene overnight working to take the pile of scrap metal apart to put the fire out in sections.

Group Manager Steve Wintrip said: "Thanks to the local businesses and communities for their patience during this incident.

"We expect to be here overnight and that might disrupt some businesses getting to work tomorrow so please allow extra travel time and thanks for your patience.

"Crews have worked brilliantly today in rather warm temperatures with the site staff to help bring this incident closer to a safe conclusion."