'It was like a movie - looked up and an exploded barn rained on me'
About 15 firefighters remained on the scene overnight to dampen down hotspots and monitor the area. Station Manager Paul Champ said: "We'd like to thank the local community for their continued patience while we've been working with partners to make the area safe. "Recovery information for residents and businesses will be coordinated by Chelmsford City Council."An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun.The UK Health Security Agency confirmed the risk to health from the debris and smoke plume was low.Do you have a story suggestion for Essex?
- ▪About 15 firefighters remained on the scene overnight to dampen down hotspots and monitor the area.
- ▪Station Manager Paul Champ said: "We'd like to thank the local community for their continued patience while we've been working with partners to make the area safe.
- ▪"Recovery information for residents and businesses will be coordinated by Chelmsford City Council."An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun.The UK Health Security Agency confirmed the risk to health from the debris and smoke pl
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'It was like a movie - looked up and an exploded barn rained on me'Image source, Joanna Taylor/BBCImage caption, Scott Johnson admitted to being still in shock after surviving the explosion largely unscathedByKaty Prickett and Joanna TaylorPublished26 July 2026, 06:20 BSTUpdated 55 minutes ago"I closed the door, and then the explosion happened, and it threw me against the door - everything was raining down on me," says Scott Johnson.The wedding photographer had just walked out of his studio at Highlands Farm, near Rettendon, Essex, when a fire caused a huge explosion at the industrial estate.The fire service declared a major incident on Friday as more than 100 firefighters tackled the flames.
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