A HUGE blaze has erupted near Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex.
Residents have been told to keep their windows and doors shut as a "toxic" plume of smoke fills the air over the area.
Firefighters began battling the flames at the industrial unit in Motherwell Way, Thurrock, at around 5am.
One man, who lives nearby, said on Twitter shortly before 6am: "Huge fire, smoke and blasts happening now.
"Air filled with chemicals. Don't know what this is."
And mum Kim, who is staying at a Travelodge at Lakeside, said: "Great plumes of dark grey smoke and things exploding shook the building coming from the industrial estate opposite.
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"It woke us up at 6am."
A spokesperson for Essex County Fire & Rescue Service said: "Firefighters are currently at the scene of an industrial unit fire in Motherwell Way, Thurrock.
"If you live or work in the area, please keep your windows and doors closed as there’s lots of smoke coming from the scene.
"On arrival, crews reported that an industrial unit – measuring 20 metres by 40 metres – was heavily smoke logged.
"Crews are making steady progress to extinguish the fire in sections."
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