A major explosion and fire at an industrial unit near Rettendon, Essex, has resulted in multiple firefighters being hospitalized.The incident occurred on Friday when a blaze spread to a fertiliser store, triggering a powerful explosion.Over 100 firefighters were deployed to tackle the flames at Highlands Farm, with three fire engines and two service cars destroyed in the process.Essex's chief fire officer, Rick Hylton, described the event as one of the most complex incidents faced by the fire service in recent years.Four firefighters sustained minor injuries, while 16 others were checked for potential hearing damage following the blast.

The fire service was called to the scene at 16:50 BST, and the explosion occurred at 17:46, described by witnesses as sounding like a bomb or sonic boom.Recovery operations are ongoing for affected businesses, with an investigation into the fire's cause underway.The incident highlights the dangers faced by emergency responders and the scale of coordination required in such crises.