Emergency services responded to a large fire in High Ongar, Essex, that affected industrial units, mobile homes, and vehicles, leading to the temporary rehousing of ten individuals. The incident, which began shortly after 11:00 PM BST on Thursday, 9 July 2026, on Woolmongers Lane, saw up to 12 fire crews at its height, with approximately 60 firefighters working to contain the flames.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service reported that crews faced a 'limited water supply' as they worked to surround the fire. By Friday morning, 10 July 2026, five crews remained on scene to dampen down hotspots and monitor the area. No injuries were reported as a result of the blaze.
Station Manager Kev Jenner urged the public to avoid the area while firefighters continued their work, stating that crews expected to be at the scene throughout the day. Residents in the vicinity were advised to keep their windows and doors closed as a precaution, with warnings of potential 'bangs' from cylinders involved in the fire.
The fire also impacted local water pressure, with Affinity Water confirming that homes in Ongar and Ingatestone experienced 'lower water pressure than usual' due to the demands of tackling the blaze.
In a separate incident on the same evening, approximately 100 tonnes of domestic waste caught fire at a unit on Clacton Road in Great Holland, beginning at 11:51 PM BST. Six crews were deployed to this scene, successfully preventing the fire from spreading to nearby crop fields. Firefighters remained in Great Holland on Friday morning, using a digger to remove rubbish from the affected building.