India, July 24 -- A major fire at an industrial building in Essex prompted a large-scale emergency response on Friday, with authorities declaring it a "significant incident" and urging residents to keep their windows and doors closed as firefighters worked to tackle the blaze.

Emergency crews were dispatched to farmland on Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, after reports of the incident. Witnesses from several miles away said they heard a loud explosion-like sound and felt vibrations.

Fire Essex Today: Fire Breaks Out at Industrial Building in Essex

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that firefighters were responding to a significant incident involving an industrial building located on farmland off Southe...