Rochford fire: Hundreds of cars destroyed in blaze

The fire service said there were about 2,000 cars on the site

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service A car fire in Rochford — The fire service said there were about 2,000 cars on the site

About 200 cars have been destroyed in a huge fire at an auctioneers in Essex.

Crews from 12 different stations were called to Purdeys Way in Rochford after the fire was first reported at about 21:00 BST on Friday.

Two crews remained at the scene earlier to ensure the site had "cooled", Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said.

The cause of the fire would be investigated, a spokesman said. The site is operated by the car auction business, Copart UK Limited.

Dinah Symonds, a resident who lives nearby, said she woke to the sound of explosions and was concerned the winds would blow the flames towards hers and her neighbours' homes.

"That's what really concerned us more than anything else but it was quite spectacular," she told the BBC.

Crews from 12 stations attended the fire

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service A fire at a car scrap yard — Crews from 12 stations attended the fire

The fire service said the cause of the blaze would be investigated

Stephen Huntley/BBC Cars burnt in Rochford — The fire service said the cause of the blaze would be investigated

Two crews remained at the scene on Saturday morning

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