THE origin of a hiuge plume of smoke to the west of Thurrock on Thursday (20 June) afternoon was a fire on an industrial estate on Ferry Lane, Rain ham.

Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters tackled the blaze in which a warehouse, containing multiple industrial units, was destroyed.

People were advised to keep windows and doors shut in the local area due to the high volume of smoke being produced and avoid Ferry Lane if possible. 

The Brigade was called at 1.11pm and the fire was under control by 5.50.

Fire crews from Barking, East Ham, Wennington, Dagenham and surrounding fire stations attended the scene, with support from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.