Fire crews from across south Essex have rushed to the scene where a stack of cars have caught alight near South Ockendon.
Firefighters were called shortly after 6pm this evning (July 5) to a fire involving a stack of cars and a number of workshops in Dennises Lane.
When crews arrived they reported that a number of cars were completely alight.
Firefighters from Grays, Basildon, Brentwood, Orsett, Corringham and two crews from London's Hornchurch station were tackling the fire.
The incident is now being scaled down. Four fire engines will continue to work at the scene of the fire. We are expected to be in attendance most of the night.
The incident is located in a scrap yard in a farm which contains scrap cars, wood, tyres, rubbish and also some liverstock. A number of bulls are in a barn near to the fire.
The animals are being kept safe by firefighters who are tackling the fire away from the barn.
Due to a lack of water at the address, firefighters have set up a water shuttle using a Water Bowser - large fire engine lorry which is full of water - to get enough water to the incident.
Thick black plumes of smoke can be seen billowing into the sky from across the borough with reports that people have spotted it as far as east London.
A total of eight fire engines were on scene before being scaled down while the fire was de-escalated.
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage. An investigation will be carried out.
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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