FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze at a builder's yard in Earls Colne.

Three fire crews from Halstead were in attendence, along with two from Sudbury, one from Coggeshall, one from Colchester, one from Wivenhoe, one from Chelmsford and one from Witham.  

Wooden pallets, drums of tar and roofing went up in flames at 4.32pm yesterday. 

A plume of smoke could be seen from miles away, with reports from people as far as Mersea. 

AT one point an aerial ladder platform was used to tackle the flames.

It was under control as of 8pm.

Incident Commander Terry Povey said: "Crews have done an excellent job to stop this fire spreading to neighbouring businesses. When crews arrved, the fire was well developed, the area measures approximately 100m x 75m. Crews quickly got to work tackling the fire in multiple fronts and got the whole area surrounded.

"The fire is almost out, and crews are extinguishing the remaining hot spots. We have scaled the incident back to three fire engines who will remain at the incident dampening down."

An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the fire. 

Update 9pm: Three fire engines from Dovercourt, Ongar and Tollesbury remain at the scene to continue extinguishing hot spots. 

Update 4am: The incident has now been scaled back to one fire engine. Firefighters will continue to dampen down and extingiush any hot spots.

Halstead Gazette:

Halstead Gazette:

Halstead Gazette:

Halstead Gazette:

Halstead Gazette:

Halstead Gazette:

Halstead Gazette:

Halstead Gazette:

(Photo by Clare Hayzer-Mcleod)

(Video and photos by Essex Fire Service)