Emergency services respond to chimney explosion in Southend

Multiple fire crews rushed to a chimney explosion in Boscombe Road, Southend, this morning. The incident, described by witnesses as bricks “flying through the air,” led to the immediate closure of the road and prompted a large-scale emergency response.

Local residents and passersby were stunned as bricks from the chimney scattered across the street, creating a hazardous environment. Eyewitness accounts vividly described the alarming sight of debris falling from the sky. One passerby remarked, “It was like something out of a movie—bricks just shooting through the air.”

Firefighters from Southend, equipped with an Aerial Ladder Platform, responded quickly to assess the damage and secure the area. Specialist fire rescue units, including the Urban Search and Rescue team from Chelmsford, were deployed to support the operation.

A technical rescue unit also arrived, accompanied by emergency gas engineers, ensuring that all potential risks were managed effectively.

An ambulance was stationed at the scene as a precaution, while fire crews utilised the aerial ladder platform to inspect and stabilise the roof. The scale of the response underscored the severity of the situation, with concerns over structural instability leading to the evacuation of nearby residents.

Chris Butler, a local resident, shared his experience of the chaotic scene, stating, “I live down this road and it was a chimney explosion. They had to evacuate a few people because they said it was unstable.”

By 1:21 pm, the collaborative efforts of the fire service, Essex Police, and Cadent ensured that the property was made safe, allowing residents to return to their homes. A spokesperson for the fire service confirmed, “Crews from Southend—including an Aerial Ladder Platform, Rochford, Chelmsford, and our Urban Search and Rescue team—attended. The chimney breast of a terraced house was damaged. Crews worked with partners, including Essex Police and Cadent, to make the property safe.”

Boscombe Road has since reopened, and investigations into the cause of the explosion are expected to follow.