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| Explosion fear prompts evacuation | Explosion fear prompts evacuation |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| More than 600 people have been moved from buildings near a fire at a workshop, amid fears of an explosion. | More than 600 people have been moved from buildings near a fire at a workshop, amid fears of an explosion. |
| A 200m exclusion zone has been set up around the site of the blaze in Southend Road, Billericay, which houses both acetylene and oxygen cylinders. | |
| The workshop measures 65ft (20m) by 98ft (30m) and was described by a spokesman as being "well alight". | The workshop measures 65ft (20m) by 98ft (30m) and was described by a spokesman as being "well alight". |
| He said the exclusion zone was in place because of the "huge potential for heated cylinders to explode". | He said the exclusion zone was in place because of the "huge potential for heated cylinders to explode". |
| Essex Police have been moving people from Southend Road to Grange Road, Highfield Road and Outwood Common Road. | Essex Police have been moving people from Southend Road to Grange Road, Highfield Road and Outwood Common Road. |
| People were provided with food and accommodation at two nearby schools on Thursday night with the assistance of Basildon District Council. | |
| Firefighters are cooling down the cylinders at the fire in Billericay | Firefighters are cooling down the cylinders at the fire in Billericay |
| Essex Fire Service's assistant divisional officer, Terry Povey, said: "We have four ground monitors on the cylinders cooling them and they will remain in place for the duration of the incident. | |
| "The cordon will remain in place for this period. This is in line with national guidelines because when these cylinders explode shrapnel will fly for anything up to 200m." | "The cordon will remain in place for this period. This is in line with national guidelines because when these cylinders explode shrapnel will fly for anything up to 200m." |
| The extent of the exclusion zone will be re-assessed on Friday morning and firefighters are likely to continue cooling down the cylinders until Friday afternoon. | The extent of the exclusion zone will be re-assessed on Friday morning and firefighters are likely to continue cooling down the cylinders until Friday afternoon. |
| Essex Ambulance said crews had treated one man for smoke inhalation and minor burns, who was then taken to Basildon Hospital. | Essex Ambulance said crews had treated one man for smoke inhalation and minor burns, who was then taken to Basildon Hospital. |
| Another man who suffered minor burns to his face and a 46-year-old woman with breathing problems were also treated at the scene. | Another man who suffered minor burns to his face and a 46-year-old woman with breathing problems were also treated at the scene. |