FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze in the early hours of the morning after three lorries caught fire at a scrap yard.

Crews from Grays, Orsett and Basildon were called to the Readmans Industrial Estate, in Station Road, East Tilbury, just after 1am on Monday, August 27, following a number of calls to the fire service, including reports of "minor explosions".

The blaze involved three lorries - one articulated lorry trailer unit, one 7.5 tonne lorry and a flat bed lorry - along with a quantity of scrap.


An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said the electricity board was also called to isolate the power supply to the site as it was "hampering firefighting operations".

It was initially thought gas cylinders may have been involved in the incident, but this has not been confirmed.


A joint police and fire service investigation will be launched to establish the cause of the blaze, which was put out at about 2.40am.

Firefighters left the scene by 4am and another visit was planned at 8.30am to check the area was safe.