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West Thurrock chemical blast heard in Essex and Kent | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
An "almighty bang" caused by a chemical factory explosion was heard by people living in south Essex and north Kent, it has emerged. | |
The explosion - which involved caustic soda - happened at Industrial Chemicals Ltd in West Thurrock, at 20:00 BST on Thursday. | |
As well as a loud bang, witnesses reported seeing a bright flash of light. | |
An investigation into what happened is now under way. | |
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. | |
"We thought a lorry had maybe hit the side of one of the houses or central reservation in the road. | |
"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. |