Wedding photographer Scott Johnson was thrown against his studio door when a fertiliser unit exploded at Highlands Farm, Rettendon, sending debris across an industrial estate and collapsing his studio roof. More than 100 firefighters responded to the major incident and 20 were taken to hospital for checks; all have since been discharged. Crews worked overnight to damp down hotspots while an investigation continues and the UKHSA assessed the public health risk as low.
‘Like Something Out Of A Movie’: Fertiliser Unit Explosion Rains Debris On Photographer’s Studio
Scott Johnson admitted to being still in shock after surviving the explosion largely unscathed [Joanna Taylor/BBC]
Wedding photographer Scott Johnson has described a terrifying moment after a fertiliser unit exploded at Highlands Farm, near Rettendon in Essex, sending debris across an industrial estate and causing severe damage to his studio.
The Incident
The blast happened on Friday at an industrial estate close to Johnson's studio. Essex Fire & Rescue Service declared a major incident and deployed more than 100 firefighters to tackle the blaze. Emergency teams say the explosion originated in a unit that stored fertiliser, producing a large smoke plume and widespread debris.
He was knocked into his studio's door by the force of the blast and ran to his van, dropping the piece of kit he had gone back for [Stephen Huntley/BBC]
Firsthand Account
Johnson said: 'I closed the door, and then the explosion happened, and it threw me against the door — everything was raining down on me.' He had been loading expensive equipment into his van when the blast knocked him back. Johnson suffered tinnitus and ear pressure but no other major injuries.
After moving to a safe distance and being checked by ambulance crews, he discovered the roof of his studio had collapsed. Despite being shaken, he managed to cover a wedding the following day with the help of his assistant, James Musselwhite, who travelled from Portsmouth.
Fire chief Rick Hylton urged the public not to speculate on the cause of the fire while an investigation is under way [PA Media]
Emergency Response And Ongoing Work
More than 100 firefighters fought the blaze; twenty were taken to hospital for assessment and have since been discharged. Crews continued working into Saturday evening to extinguish smaller fires that had spread to neighbouring fields in windy conditions. Around 15 firefighters remained on site overnight to damp down hotspots and monitor the area.
Essex County Fire & Rescue Service chief fire officer Rick Hylton called the event 'one of the most challenging and complex incidents' the service has responded to in recent years.
Investigation And Public Safety
An investigation into the cause of the fire is under way. Officials confirmed the unit that exploded contained fertiliser. The UK Health Security Agency advised that the health risk from debris and the smoke plume is low. Station Manager Paul Champ thanked the local community for its patience and said Chelmsford City Council will coordinate recovery information for residents and businesses.
Photo Credit: Stephen Huntley/BBC
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