A BARN has been destroyed and a man suffered burns after a "huge explosion" near to a pub.
Police, firefighters and ambulance were called to the site in Brentwood Road, Orsett on Monday night at 8.24pm.
The road was completely closed and the crews found the barn was completely alight, and a 27 year old male had suffered burn injuries during the huge fire.
Images and videos on social media showed huge orange flames covering the barn building and the emergency services blocking the road while other officers and crews tackled the blaze.
Seven fire crews from across south Essex were called to the incident near the Dog and Partridge pub, where an incident control point was been set up.
READ MORE >>>
- Basildon: 'Lovely Jubbly' farewell for cabbie Steve
- Southend's Queensway bridge set to close to the public
- Southend: Night-time traffic wardens plan ‘would kill off businesses’
Residents living nearby have reported hearing a "large explosion" around 8.10pm before the crews were called to the site.
Firefighters administered first aid to the injured man and he was taken to hospital shortly afterwards for treatment.
Problems with water supply called for Corringham Crews to also attend with a water bowser, providing an additional water supply on arrival.
By 10:49pm the cause of the fire was determined as accidental. The fire crews used an aerial ladder platform to tackle remaining hotspots from above and kept working to dampen down the surrounding area.
At 11:34pm Station Manager Dave Walpole had confirmed that the fire was 95 per cent out and crews were continuing to cool down any remaining hotspots.
Later by 12:11am on Tuesday relief fires crews took over at the scene of the blaze.
A spokesman for Essex Fire Service said: "On arrival, crews confirmed that a barn measuring approximately 20m x 10m was completely alight, and a 27 year old male was suffering from burn injuries. Firefighters administered first aid and he was taken to hospital shortly afterwards. The cause of the fire has been determined as accidental."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here