A huge blaze has torn through an industrial park, destroying two warehouses and forcing residents indoors to avoid fumes.

At its height 100 firefighters tackled the fire, which started at about 6.10am on Sunday at the Europa Way Industrial Estate, Harwich.

When the first crews from Dovercourt arrived at the scene they were met with 80ft high flames and towering smoke plumes.

A warning was issued for residents in Harwich to stay inside and keep doors and windows shut as firefighters began battling the inferno.

The blaze ignited plastics, diesel and bio-fuels being kept in one of the warehouses, which firefighters said added to the fires intensity.

As the fire gripped hold of the warehouses, back-up firecrews from across Essex arrived to try and stop the flames spreading to other units.

* Did you take any pictures of the blaze? If so email them to us at ecnphotos@nqe.com