CREWS from ten Essex fire stations spent the night tackling a huge fire at a Basildon recycling site.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service was called to Hovefields Avenue today (14 September) at 1.15am and two crews from Basildon attended.

They found a unit approximately 50 metres by 40 metres, including warehouses and about 15 vehicles, fully alight and ten additional crews were requested.

Update: Saturday 14 September, 9am

The incident has been scaled back to five crews, however the fire service expects to remain on scene throughout the weekend.

Group Manager Steve Wintrip said: "Site staff are using a digger to move and break up the recycling so our crews can extinguish it.

"This will be a long process and we expect to be on site for at least another 48 hours.

"It will also continue to create a lot of smoke, so we would urge residents in Basildon and Wickford to keep doors and windows closed."

Update: Saturday 14 September, 6.20am

Crews are continuing to make good progress in tackling a fire at a recycling centre in Basildon.

Group Manager Dave Bond said: "Residents and motorists in the area will see large plumes of smoke over the next few hours as crews continue to extinguish the fire.

"Please keep your doors and windows closed. Take extra care on the roads, but avoid the area if you can.

Crews from Billericay, Canvey, Corringham, Grays (two), Leigh, Orsett, Rayleigh Weir, Southend and Wickford, and two Aerial Ladder Platforms, attended.

Area Manager Craig McLellan said: "Crews are working extremely hard with site owners to remove vehicles and cylinders from the scene.

"We ask people to avoid the area while crews work to extinguish the fire."

Due to smoke in the area, anyone living near the incident is advised to keep their doors and windows closed, and motorists using the A127 between the Nevendon interchange and Rayleigh Spur roundabout are urged to take extra care.