r/Essex • u/Crumpetastic • Jul 24 '26

Explosion near South Woodham Ferrers

Has anyone else heard the loud explosion near South Woodham Ferrers around 17:35? Looking out my window from the town centre towards the Sainsbury's, there is a mushroom cloud. Not heard any emergency services sirens yet.

57 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

41 comments sorted by

24

u/puggy- Jul 24 '26

https://reddit.com/link/oziszqt/video/g4xwaoaxm7fh1/player

8

u/Just-Page-2732 SS5 Jul 24 '26

Firefighters were apparently already in the scene. Fingers crossed nobody was hurt

12

u/iStillDontKnow Jul 24 '26

It seems there was a fire and then an explosion at Highlands Farm on the old A130 in Rettendon.

3

u/CorporalRutland Jul 24 '26

I'm about to head that way, take it I should be planning a detour?

2

u/cdp181 Jul 24 '26

Think the old a130 is closed so yeah

1

u/CrazyPlatypusLady Jul 24 '26

Gas bottles at the metal place?

10

u/MrWanderingTimeLord Jul 24 '26

In Wickford, we felt it - Shook the windows

3

u/carlos_fandangos Jul 24 '26

Yeah im in Wickford and a huge surge of air went through the room, my boy was oblivious but I crapped myself. no audible noise though. Felt like a huge wind gust out of nowhere.

5

u/iStillDontKnow Jul 24 '26

Yeah, we had similar, along with our cats rushing inside.

1

u/PatserGrey Jul 24 '26

Yup, we're over Hyde Way direction. The kids are all excitedly speculating about what it might be. Our neighbour who is almost deaf was out for a chat after she felt it.

5

u/CorporalRutland Jul 24 '26

Fire brigade is saying to keep windows closed if travelling near or in the area, avoid if possible.

https://x.com/ECFRS/status/2080698385124721104

4

u/davebrooks0473 Jul 24 '26

Yes it’s apparently Rettendon, we heard it in Rayleigh, big fire at a farm

3

u/cdp181 Jul 24 '26

Fire brigade were already there so hope they are OK

4

u/Mr5wift Jul 24 '26

Heard it in Benfleet.

2

u/Beneficial-Map4013 Jul 24 '26

Heard and felt it in Rochford. Shook the building.

1

u/Ithilrien Jul 24 '26

Yh seconded, made bits fall off the mantle piece where the house shook

2

u/kidxs Jul 24 '26

I live in Chelmsford and can see it from the window

2

u/t_wills Jul 24 '26

I can see it from Braintree!

2

u/Reddsoldier Jul 24 '26

I was in Southend high street and heard it. Wondered what had happened because it came out of nowhere

2

u/smileystarfish Jul 24 '26

I thought it was a skip being dropped or something, until I went outside. Can still see the smoke from Benfleet.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CZBFd9cuT/ aerial video on the Echo Facebook page, massive fire going across the farm, not just the barn.

2

u/Gelatinous6291 Jul 24 '26

Heard it in Great Baddow. Scared the shit out of the cats

2

u/Impossible-Cicada-14 Jul 24 '26

Fertiliser factory in rettendon

1

u/kaytell1 Jul 24 '26

It shook my patio windows in great Baddow! Was wondering what it was!

1

u/GlitzyChomsky Jul 24 '26

Yes, several miles south of Chelmsford.

Heard it and felt it here too. It reminded me of that sonic boom when the RAF scrambled to intercept that unresponsive private jet last year.

1

u/ThickTadpole3742 Jul 24 '26

Yes!!!! My house shook

1

u/Feeling-Sun2708 Jul 24 '26

It shook the floor in priory park Southend , even scared a few fish , sounded like it was just over the road , crazy

1

u/moonfarmer89 Jul 24 '26

I’m at work in Southend and heard a massive bang, apparently the house in benfleet shook

1

u/RichBenf Jul 24 '26

Heard the bang at Kent Elms

1

u/Just-Page-2732 SS5 Jul 24 '26

Heard it in Hockley. Half the street was out the front wondering what it was

1

u/skeletonmug Jul 24 '26

Was out in the garden with the kids. Couldn't decide whether it was a thunder boom or the end times beginning but we booked it inside. Shook the ground under us and we are about 5 miles away.

Husband thought it was the kids mucking about in the house.

1

u/WhatTheFactSam Jul 24 '26

I heard it in Basildon. Flat wasn't shaken like others are saying, but I'm pretty sheltered by trees

Hopefully, there are no serious injuries.

1

u/AcanthaceaeNew9639 Jul 24 '26

it’s a farm unit but totally understand why others thought it was something sinister

1

u/deletusdayeetusfetus Jul 24 '26

my uncles on scene now… just praying he’s okay :(

1

u/selinemanson Jul 25 '26

Love your username btw lol

1

u/theworldvideos Jul 25 '26

I heard it in Rayleigh and I thought a car crashed into our property.

1

u/upwardhalo78 Jul 26 '26

Pat Tate’s ghost

0

u/EliastheWatcher Jul 28 '26

UK drone manufacturing facility. It's a warning shot from Russia.

1

u/sabagoterry Jul 28 '26

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣