A blaze which saw molten plastic raining down on fire crews has been described as one of the worst in the area in recent years.

More than 40 firefighters were called to the fire yesterday at one of five units owned by RPC Containers, in Fourth Avenue, Bluebridge industrial estate, Halstead.

About 100 tonnes of plastic bottle caps and closures were alight.

Chris Oldroyd, a machine setter who raised the alarm at 9.30am, said: "I just heard a massive bang and I saw smoke coming out."

Station officer Nigel Acres said: "They were confronted with a developing fire on the mezzanine floor and molten plastic was raining down on the contents. We got firefighters to quickly extinguish the multiple new fires that were flaring up."

RPC Containers has had a base at the Bluebridge industrial estate since 1994 and employs 70 people. The company was due to open as normal today.