FIRE-A127

Essex Police have issued the following statement regarding the fire and its effect on roads and trains:

Emergency services are at the scene of a large tyre fire near the Fairglen interchange just off the A1245/A127 junction of the A130.
Police were called to the scene at just after 9pm on Monday, March 9, to close the nearby roads following reports that thick smoke from the blaze was obscuring the carriageway.
The A1245 between the Fairglen interchange and the Carpenters Arms roundabout has been closed to traffic in both directions. This closure is likely to remain in place for the next few hours which will have an impact on the morning rush hour.
Train services on the nearby Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street rail line are also not running between Rayleigh and Wickford due to the smoke.
Motorists and commuters are advised to seek alternative routes for their morning travel arrangements and leave extra time for their journeys.
Anybody with any information as to how the fire started is asked to contact Essex Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Update 07:45hrs: Crews are still at work at the scene protecting surrounding risks and containing the fire which continues to burn in the pile.

Essex Police have issued the following updated statement:

Motorists and commuters are advised to expect severe disruption on the transport network today (Tuesday, March 10) as emergency services continue to tackle a large tyre blaze in south Essex.

The fire, at a farm near the Fairglen interchange just off the A1245/A127 junction, started last night. Smoke from it is obscuring the road so emergency services have taken the decision to close the A1245 between the Fairglen interchange and the Carpenters Arms roundabout to traffic in both directions. This closure is likely to remain in place for most of the day.
Train services on the nearby Southend Victoria to London Liverpool Street rail line have also been affected and bus replacements are being provided.
Motorists and commuters are advised to seek alternative routes and leave extra time for their journeys.

Inspector Scott Egerton, of Essex Police’s Roads Policing Team, said: “There will be long delays and I would ask people to avoid the area. Diversions will be in place but people should check social media and Essex travel updates for the latest information. The transport network in the area could be affected for most of the day.”

There has been a multi-agency response to this incident involving representatives from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, Essex Police, the British Transport Police, Network Rail, Public Health England, the Environment Agency, Essex County Council and Rochford District Council.

The smoke from the fire is not believed to be toxic. However, Public Health England, has issued the following advice:

· Any smoke can be an irritant and, as such, if people have to be outdoors, they are advised to avoid outside areas affected by any smoke or ash or to limit the time that they spend in them.

• If people can see smoke outside their property, or can see evidence of soot particles on window sills or external surfaces, then they should stay indoors with windows and doors closed and any air-conditioning either switched off or set to internally re-circulate the air until the fire has been brought under control.

• For anyone who already has problems with their lungs for example, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder – it is advisable to stay inside while the fire is still burning, minimise infiltration of smoke by keeping windows and doors closed and to be sure to keep all necessary medicine with you.

• Keep children with any respiratory problems indoors.

• Some of the substances present in smoke can irritate the lining of the air passages, the skin and the eyes. Respiratory symptoms include coughing and wheezing, breathlessness, sputum (phlegm) production and chest pain. If symptoms occur, people should seek medical advice or call NHS 111.