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Building collapses due to explosion inside

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Firefighters surrounded by rubble from a collapsed building. There are two people in the picture who are wearing hi-vis uniform and helmets.Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
Firefighters arrived at the scene of a explosion in the early hours of the morning

A small industrial building collapsed in the early hours of the morning due to an explosion inside, firefighters said.

Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called to Eastern Avenue in West Thurrock in Essex at 01:50 GMT.

They found the collapsed brick building that measured about 5mx5m (16ftx16ft) and was used for waste water pumping, a spokesperson said.

The cause of the explosion was not known but was not suspicious, they added.

Watch Manager Mark Hampton said crews made the area safe with help from other agencies.

"This incident is a great example of teamwork and cross-agency collaboration, with everyone working together towards a shared goal."

Crews handed the scene over to Essex Police and Anglian Water at about 04:15.

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