Residents across Eastwood and Leigh-on-Sea say they are living in “horrendous” conditions as a huge fruit fly infestation continues to plague homes and gardens – more than two months after a major fire at a local food warehouse.
The infestation is believed to be primarily caused by fruit flies, which thrive in warm, decaying organic matter and reproduce rapidly. Experts say each female can lay up to 500 eggs at a time, allowing populations to explode within days when exposed to rotting food – such as the decomposing stock left inside the fire-damaged Metrow Foods warehouse.
The blaze on 15 August destroyed much of the building and left large quantities of unrefrigerated food to rot, producing a powerful stench and triggering the ongoing swarm. The company, a wholesale food distributor, has been unable to clear the site fully because of structural safety concerns raised by the Health and Safety Executive.
Despite an abatement notice being issued by Southend City Council, the infestation remains widespread, and residents say conditions have become unbearable.
Carol Higby-Collins said: “I had at least 15 flies in my bathroom one afternoon… my fly zapper is working overtime, it’s gross!”
Denise Gaymer added: “It has been horrendous. We are prisoners in our homes. This is a serious health issue which has been making people unwell.”
Lee Johnson said: “The stress this is causing us is just unbelievable, you can’t eat, sleep or do anything without flies, fruit flies around you and then there is the smell which is on another level! And now we are finding mice or rat droppings around our homes! Metrow Foods has a lot to answer for leaving it in such a horrendous state!”
Another local, Ky Lyn, said: “It’s been horrendous! We had the back door open for about 15 minutes earlier and there were literally about 50 flies in my kitchen. Took about an hour to get rid of them.”
Councillor Paul Collins, representing Eastwood Park, said:
“The environment the residents of Priorywood Crescent and Hazelwood Avenue have to put up with is disgusting. I spent time with people in their homes on Friday morning and their lives are on hold. After a lot of complaining to the Council, the Council served a Section 80 Environmental Protection Order on to Metrow Foods on September 19th, 2025, giving them 28 days to stop this public nuisance. Part of the problem for them is that the building is unsafe and the H&SE have prevented any access to clear the rotting food until it is safe to do so.”
That 28-day deadline has now passed, and the Council has confirmed it is reviewing its legal options.
Cllr Martin Terry, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services, said:
“An abatement notice was served on the company under Section 80 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, giving them a reasonable timeframe to deal with the nuisance. This timeframe has passed. We are in ongoing discussions with the company and are considering the Council’s legal position and what further action can be taken to ensure this issue is resolved. We remain committed to holding the company causing the nuisance to account and to finding a solution and minimising the unpleasant situation that residents are experiencing.”
David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West & Leigh, also commented:
“We recognise that residents are rightly upset about the situation at the Metrow Foods warehouse. It is an appalling situation and we are working closely with the council to resolve the matter as soon as possible. It is totally unacceptable and a health and hygiene hazard. I am pleased to report that the council are taking all legal steps to ensure all possibility of a health risk is removed at pace and residents can be reassured that everything possible is being done to put an end to this situation.”
When approached for comment, Bruce Hodges, Managing Director of Metrow Foods, simply said:
“We continue to liaise closely with the Council and the Health and Safety Executive.”
Residents say the fruit fly invasion and smell have now spread across a wider area.
The Council says it remains in discussions with Metrow Foods and is “considering further legal measures” to ensure the nuisance is stopped and public health risks are eliminated.