Crews tackle molten glass leak from factory furnace

Firefighters have been tackling an incident at a glass factory where molten glass has leaked from a furnace.

Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called at 02:16 GMT to an industrial unit on Edinburgh Way in Harlow.

Thirteen crews have been rotating into the building in short bursts due to the intense heat, the fire service has said.

People had been told to avoid the area and Edinburgh Way, which was closed, has now reopened.

Ambulance teams were also called to the scene.

Station manager Kev Jenner said: "We've worked closely with site staff this afternoon to make good progress on this incident and want to thank the site team for their help.

"We'd also like to say 'thank you' to everyone for their patience while we've dealt with this incident, whether that's local businesses or local residents unable to use the road while it was closed.

"We were able to reopen Edinburgh Way just in time for rush hour by working closely with police colleagues and hope that any disruption into the evening is minimal."

Earlier in the day assistant chief fire officer James Taylor said crews were working "really hard in incredibly difficult conditions" to cool the molten glass.

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