"Firefighters have been called to an incident this morning involving an aircraft hangar," a spokesman for Essex Fire and Rescue said, as quoted by the Echo newspaper.
LATEST: Fire in an aircraft hangar at Southend Airport. Multiple fire crews are tackling.
— Your Southend (@YourSouthend) 16 августа 2017 г.
Vids by Stacey Dawson, Liam Hayes & Steve Warner. pic.twitter.com/nqb5uOiQJE
ALERT Explosion near London Southend Airport, operations not affected for now https://t.co/jiR9wRgOe7 pic.twitter.com/RyC63ZFDTa
— AIRLIVE (@airlivenet) August 16, 2017
Earlier in the day, local media reports emerged claiming that an explosion had occurred near the airport.
Any ideas what's blown up near southend airport? #fire #southend pic.twitter.com/ZUBgtdAgOj
— Luke TS Osborne (@ltsophotography) August 16, 2017
"Essex Fire and Rescue is currently dealing with an incident at the Air Livery hangar on the north side of the airfield. London Southend Airport is still open and operating as normal," a spokesman for Southend Airport said as quoted by Echo.
Big fire at Southend airport 👀 pic.twitter.com/o1Js5tYMjT
— Rhys Lench (@RhysLench) 16 августа 2017 г.
Essex Fire service later confirmed that there was a fire incident: "When firefighters arrived at the scene they reported the large hangar, which is used to livery aeroplanes, was on fire. Six fire engines were requested to help tackle the fire."
Fire in an aircraft hangar — Southend Airport, Rochford https://t.co/j3mFGFUOhZ
— Essex Fire Service (@ECFRS) August 16, 2017