Homes evacuated after massive blaze on Hythe Hill
1:40pm Wednesday 19th October 2011
HOMES were evacuated after a massive blaze at a tyre company on Hythe Hill.
Fire crews from across north Essex were called to fight the blaze at Universal Tyre Company in Colchester.
About 500 tyres, lorries, a tyre workshop and an oil tank caught fire shortly after 11.15pm last night, Tuesday.
Crews tackled the blaze throughout the night with the heat also affecting neighbouring buildings.
Those living or working in the area were cleared for their safety as pungent smoke billowed across the Hythe.
Among those tackling the blaze were crews from Colchester, Wivenhoe, Mersea, Tiptree and Nayland.
Also supporting fire services from Clacton, Stansted and Maldon.
Two fire crews were originally sent but following a high number of emergency calls and the escalating blaze more were drafted in.
Hythe Hill and Hythe Quay were closed with police helping firefighters control the area.
Incident commander Neil Holloway, the assistant divisional officer, confirmed the area had to be evacuated as a precaution with residents advised not to breath in the smoke.
The Environment Agency has been informed of the incident and a joint investigation will be carried out by Essex County Fire and Rescue Service and Essex Police to establish the cause.
By 9.30am the remaining crews were waiting for scenes of crime investigators who will attempt to establish the cause of the fire.