FIREFIGHTERS have tackled a fire caused by a fault in an electric vehicle on a south Essex industrial estate. 

Crews were called to a salvage yard, near Brickfields Way, on Purdeys Industrial Estate, in Rochford at around 8:47pm last night. 

Firefighters from Rochford, Southend and Leigh attended and on arrival they reported that eight cars were fully alight. 

Essex Fire worked hard to contain the fire quickly and prevent it spreading further.

Temporary watch manager, Steven Gabriel, said: "Firefighters have done an excellent job to contain the fire to stop it from spreading to surrounding areas. 

"Unfortunately, although the vehicles have been destroyed, this could very easily have become an even more significant incident without such a professional response from our crews."

Essex Fire say an investigation has been carried out and the cause of the fire was a fault in an electric vehicle. 

This is the second fire on Purdeys Industrial Estate in a matter of months. Back in August 2023, more than 200 vehicles at a scrap yard were engulfed by fierce flames.