A FIREFIGHTER who says he was deafened and traumatised by an explosion whilst battling a blaze is suing Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for up to £250,000.

James Chambers was left with hearing loss and post traumatic stress disorder after a gas cylinder exploded near him, according to a writ issued at the High Court.

The incident happened as a team of fire officers fought to control a fire at a vehicle workshop in Kingsford Business Centre in Layer Road, Colchester, in December 2014.

Nearby buildings were evacuated and an exclusion zone was set up for more than six hours after the fire where a cylinder of acetylene exploded.

And lawyers for Mr Chambers, 60, argue he was “exposed to foreseeable and avoidable risk of injury by explosion”.

The writ states Mr Chambers was unable to return to full time duty for almost three years after the incident.

And, it says, there remains a “real risk” he may not be able to continue in his job.

Martin Seaward, representing Mr Chambers, says in the writ that he is claiming at least £100,000 damages, but that figure could rise up to £250,000.

The document states his hearing recovered following surgery in the spring of 2017 but that he remains in a fragile psychological state.

He is liable to be “re-traumatised” if exposed to another life-threatening situation, Mr Seaward argues.

The writ states Mr Chambers, of West Street, Tollesbury, was nine metres from the acetylene welding gas canister when it exploded.

He fell to the ground and immediately suffered “headache, confusion, dribbling and vomiting,” as well as hearing loss.

It is claimed he should not have been ordered to approach so close to the blaze.

The writ alleges: “There were no persons involved in the fire. The workshop could not be saved.

“The fire was in an isolated location and was unlikely to spread.

“In light of those facts Mr Chambers was exposed to foreseeable and avoidable risk of injury by explosion.”

The fire service’s defence to the action was not available from the court and the allegations made in the writ have yet to be tested before a judge.