Massive fire breaks out at Essex warehouse as residents told to ‘keep windows shut’

Luke Alsford | News Reporter Published August 16, 2026 9:01am Updated August 16, 2026 9:01am Thick plumes of smoke are billowing out of the warehouse Suffolk Fire and Rescue Servic(Picture: Essex Fire and Rescue Service) Firecrews have been working through the night to tackle a huge fire at a warehouse. Flames engulfed the building on Stour Road in Harwich, Essex, in the early hours and the property is now ‘fully alight’. Essex County Fire & Rescue Service were called to the warehouse at about 3.36am and have sent around 35 firefighers. Thick smoke is billowing out of the building, leading the fire service to ask locals to keep their windows and doors shut. One woman said on Facebook that her entire had covered her entire garden in ‘hot ash’. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start you