Update: Two people hurt following explosion at a scrap yard near Stansted Airport
A view of the fire from Takeley Football Club's ground in Station Road. - Credit: Archant
Two people have been injured following an explosion at a scrap yard in Takeley this afternoon (Thursday).
Firefighters are still tackling the blaze and a 200-metre exclusion zone has been put in place.
Four crews, two from Dunmow, one from Stansted and another from Bishop’s Stortford, are in attendance.
It is believed that a number of acetylene and oxygen cylinders may have caused the explosion.
Firefighters were called to the scrap yard, in Dunmow Road, at 4.28pm. Police have closed the B1256 (Dunmow Road) in both directions between Parsonage Road (The Four Ashes) and Canfield Road.
The East of England Ambulance Service’s hazardous area response team is on the scene and two people have been treated for minor injuries.
Residents living nearby have been advised to stay in their homes and close their windows. Officers are also liaising with Stansted Airport, which is monitoring the situation with the plume of smoke. Flights have not been affected by the blaze.
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A police helicopter is also flying overhead to assess the scene.
Police have advised anyone travelling to the airport to allow extra time for their journey.
Did you hear the explosion? E-mail us at editor@dunmow-broadcast@archant.co.uk or Tweet us @dunmowbroadcast