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Essex fire crews tackle blast at chemical unit in Thurrock West Thurrock chemical blast heard in Essex and Kent
(about 11 hours later)
There has been an explosion at an industrial chemicals unit in Essex, fire crews have said. An "almighty bang" caused by a chemical factory explosion was heard by people living in south Essex and north Kent, it has emerged.
Emergency services were called to the incident at Industrial Chemicals Ltd in West Thurrock, Essex, on Stoness Road, at about 20:00 BST. The explosion - which involved caustic soda - happened at Industrial Chemicals Ltd in West Thurrock, at 20:00 BST on Thursday.
There are no reports of any serious casualties, Essex Police said. As well as a loud bang, witnesses reported seeing a bright flash of light.
Crews said there appeared to have been an explosion in the chlorine scrubbing unit, which led to a leak of caustic soda liquid. An investigation into what happened is now under way.
Residents living nearby were advised to stay indoors and keep their windows closed, but at 22:00 BST the police said the area had been made safe and there was no longer any danger to the public. Eunice Flynn, who lives nearby, said: "There was an almighty bang, so much so we thought all our windows and our doors were coming open.
The cause of the explosion would be investigated by the relevant authorities, police said. "We thought a lorry had maybe hit the side of one of the houses or central reservation in the road.
The fire service said it had treated a man for minor injuries to his shin, but he had not needed an ambulance. "All the neighbours came flying out of their houses. We went across the road and we could see the big plume of smoke going up."
Residents in the area were initially told to stay indoors and keep windows closed because the explosion happened in a chlorine scrubbing unit at the factory.
Later, it was determined there was no danger to the public.
Essex Fire and Rescue Service said the source of the explosion at the factory in Stoneness Road was a small tank of diluted caustic soda.