Basildon Paycocke Road fire update as eight crews on scene

Eight fire crews are battling the large blaze at a unit in Paycocke Road, Basildon.

Police have shut off Gardiners Lane South and Paycocke Road on the industrial estate while emergency services deal with the incident.

Police cars and fire engines in Paycocke Road (Image: Newsquest)

The fire service has now confirmed it has eight crews working to put out the blaze in sections and prevent it spreading to neighbouring businesses.

In an update, an Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Firefighters are at the scene of an industrial unit fire in Gardiners Lane South, Basildon.

“We were called at 1.36pm to reports of a fire in an industrial unit. We currently have eight crews working to extinguish the fire in sections and prevent it spreading to neighbouring units.”

Police have closed the road (Image: Newsquest)

At four ambulance services vehicles are also on the scene. Drivers are being diverted with traffic building in surrounding roads, including the A1235 and East Mayne as we head into rush hour.

An aerial ladder platform is being used to fight the flames (Image: Newsquest)

One witness, Sam Mildren, told the Echo: “There are loads of emergency services, more just keep pulling up.

“The road has been shut off now. There is just thick black smoke coming out of the business.

“Police, fire, and ambulance service are now all here.”