A LARGE number of firefighters, together with police and ambulance personne tackled a large fire in barns adjacent to the A128 to the north of Orsett.

A man suffered burn injuries when the incident started.

The fire was in barns to the rear of an area of buildings and hardstanding adjacent to the Dog and Partridge pub, where an incident control point was set up.

Residents in the area, as far away as Bulphan, reported hearing a large explosion around 8.10pm.

Crews tackling the blaze had to pump water to the seat of the fire, though bowser tankers have brought additional supplies.

For a while traffic was allowed to pass by the scene of the incident though the northbound lane of the A128 was occupied by a large number of emergency vehicles.

Eventually the whole road was closed, but was reopened around midnight.

A statement from Essex Fire and Rescue Service said: "The cause of the fire has been detemined as accidental. Crews are using an Aerial Ladder Platform to tackle remaining hotspots from above and are continuing to dampen down the surrounding area.

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"The road has been completely closed, and is expected to re-open in the early hours of the morning.

"Crews from Orsett and Grays were called to a fire in a barn on Brentwood Road, Orsett at 8:24pm.

"On arrival, crews confirmed that a barn measuring approximately 20m x 10m was completely alight, and a 27 year old male was suffering from burn injuries. Firefighters administered first aid and he was taken to hospital shortly afterwards.

"Firefighters were joined by an additional crew from Grays, as well as two crews from Basildon and a crew from Brentwood.

"Problems with water supply has called for Corringham crews to also attend with a water bowser, providing an additional water supply on arrival.

"The barn has sadly been destroyed by the fire this evening. Firefighters remain at the scene and are working hard to ensure the fire doesn't spread."

Update: Relief crews have now taken over and the road is expected to be open very shortly

Update: 11:34pm

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Station Manager Dave Walpole has confirmed that the fire is now 95% out and crews are continuing to cool down any remaining hotspots.

Relief crews have been organised to take over at around midnight.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called to a fire in a barn on Brentwood Road in Orsett just after 8.30pm.

An ambulance, two rapid response vehicles, a response car from the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, two vehicles from the Hazardous Area Response Team and an operations manager were sent to the scene.

"An adult man was taken to hospital by a member of the public and we remained on scene until the decision was made to stand down our response."