A huge pile of rubbish has blocked a road in south Essex after residents heard a "loud bang".

Pictures of the scene show a large pile of bins bags and rubbish in Friern Gardens, Wickford, at around 10:30am this morning.

According to witnesses, a refuse vehicle was seen emptying the load into the road, after what residents described as an "explosion" noise.

One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, added: "It was the black bin refuse vehicle.

"There was a very loud noise, which could have been some form of explosion. The vehicle stopped and emptied the load in the roadway.

"One fire engine attended the site, and eventually the refuse vehicle returned to the council yard.

"The emergency crew from the council attended the site with a very large skip and fork lift to clear the road."

An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: “Firefighters were called to a vehicle fire on Friern Gardens, Wickford at 10:27am.

“On arrival, crews reported there was a fire in a dust cart and extinguished the fire by 10:52am.”

The rubbish has now reportedly been removed. Basildon Council has been contacted for comment by the Echo.