Three people were taken to hospital after a barn containing 2,000 bales of hay went up in flames at Woodside Farm, Eastwood.

The three people who received minor injuries included a farm worker suffering from shock and smoke inhalation and a firefighter suffering cuts to the hands.

A member of the AA, who was on patrol nearby, was also treated for burns to the hands from the fire after he helped evacuate nearby horses.

Efforts to tackle the blaze were initially complicated by the numbers of firefighters who were still out dealing with the aftermath of the giant blaze at the Montine Food Company in the town's Southchurch Road.

Station officer Andy Beale of Southend's green watch, said: "Firefighters from Hadleigh and Leigh were still involved with the Southchurch Road fire, so we had to come all the way from Southend.

"We got here at midday and it looks like a job that will take all day. We have got it surrounded and are protecting the surrounding buildings that are at risk with our jets."

The cause of the blaze is still being investigated.

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