Update 4:20pm (Wednesday 27 April)

Having been at the scene for nearly 36 hours, we are preparing to leave and hand over the scene to security staff at the site.

Crews will revisit the site this evening and tomorrow morning to ensure it remains safe.

We’d like to thank residents and our partners who have been affected for their support.

Update 10:15pm

We have now reduced our attendance to two crews, who will continue to extinguish the fire, which is confirmed to have damaged 60% of the factory building and caused the roof to partially collapse. Relief crews will take over at four hour intervals.

River Way is now open as usual to vehicles and pedestrians, and we anticipate businesses will be able to operate as usual tomorrow.

A fire investigation is being carried out.

1700 hrs

Six crews remain at the scene in River Way, Harlow where crews are working to extinguish a fire in an industrial unit.

Crews are working to extinguish the fire in sections using an Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) to tackle the fire from above as well as the ground.

Firefighters have also been working to safely escort staff in the area off of the site.

Area Manager Jim Palmer said: “At the height of the fire, we had over 70 firefighters here including aerial appliances and including some of our partners from Hertfordshire.

“We continue to be at the scene operationally firefighting and looking to extinguish all the hotspots. We expect to be here until at least the early evening.

“I would like to pass on my thanks to the communities and the businesses in the area that have been very supportive of our efforts to extinguish this fire.

“I would like to assure you that we look to resolve this as soon as we possibly can and look to let you go about your normal business.

“River Way remains closed while we’re here, I’d like to thank our partners in Essex Police for supporting us in maintaining the safety of our crews and the public at this incident.”

1300 hrs

“We were faced with quite a ferocious fire.”

Group Manager Scott Meekings of @ECFRS says up to 70 firefighters have been at the scene at Riverway Foods in Harlow where a large fire has been ongoing for several hours.

Fire crews have also had to cope with a shortage of water. pic.twitter.com/A1pK995V9k— BBC Essex (@BBCEssex) April 26, 2022

Update: 1100 hrs

The fire is under control and, thanks to the hard work of crews, has been contained to one building.

People nearby are still asked to keep their windows shut and avoid the area. Essex Police are assisting with road closures nearby.

Around 60 of our firefighters are at the scene, including colleagues from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Group Manager Scott Meekings said:

“Our crews have done an amazing job to contain the fire to the affected site which is a food manufacturing building and stop it from spreading to neighbouring properties.

“We have sectioned the fire into four areas and have control of it. We’d like to thank those who live and work nearby for their patience and support – we expect that the road and access will be closed for most of the day, so please do avoid the area and if you’re nearby, keep your windows closed if they are nearby.”

1000 hrs

ESSEX Firefighters were called to a fire in an industrial building on River Way, Harlow at 5:22am.

On arrival, crews confirmed that a factory measuring 50m x 50m was 95% alight and 100% smoke-logged. Access to the building is extremely limited and crews from Essex and Hertfordshire are working hard in difficult conditions to tackle the fire as quickly as possible.

This is an on-going incident and we anticipate disruption to traffic in the area for quite some time. Where possible, please avoid the area. There is a large plume of smoke over Harlow Town and we are advising local residents to keep windows and doors closed.

0900 hrs

Residents are still being advised to keep their windows shut.

As you can see, the smoke is billowing across the town.

@yourharlow veiw of river way fire from my area Hughes tower #fire #harlow pic.twitter.com/J1VfJ4p7of

— Ricky burnall (@StripezZ96) April 26, 2022

0750 hrs

From Essex Fire Service

We have increased our attendance to eight fire engines, and are joined by two from London Fire Brigade. There are large smoke plumes over Harlow Town – if you live locally, please keep your doors and windows closed.

0730 hrs

Fire crews are continuing to tackle the blaze on River Way in Harlow.

The building is half way along River Way on the north side.

Traffic cannot enter River Way from Edinburgh Way and traffic, already in the industrial area, is being held.

Traffic is flowing smoothly on Edinburgh Way.

There are no reports of any injuries.

0630 hrs

FIRE Crews are currently tackling a fire on River Way in #Harlow. There are six fire engines at the scene, so the road is partially blocked.

They are asking people to avoid the area and find another route where possible.

River way runs off Edinburgh Way in Harlow.

They will bring you more information as soon as we’re able to.