FIREFIGHTERS are still putting out the remains of the blaze that destroyed a warehouse in Basildon.

P2P mailing warehouse, in Festival Way, was completely destroyed by a fire in the early hours of Sunday morning.

There were more than 100 firefighters at the warehouse and one engine is still there trying to extinguish remaining fires beneath the debris.

Crews from Basildon, Wickford, Rayleigh, Corringham, Orsett, Brentwood, Leigh, Epping, Ingatestone, Canvey, Maldon and South Woodham were called to the blaze on Sunday morning.

After many hours battling the spreading inferno, the worst of the fire was put out.

Yesterday morning, only seven firefighters were still at the warehouse where the first part of the work to recover the building is still ongoing.

Steve Bonsor, the incident commander, said: “We are currently attempting to remove any panels from the area that are on top of the hotspots still inside.

“We have two hose reel jets and a digger which are in place to move the recovery on as quick as possible.”

Lorries parked outside the warehouse were also destroyed by the fire.

Mr Bonsor added: “For us to totally extinguish the blaze in its entirety we think will take another 24 hours.”

In a statement, P2P Mailing confirmed that thankfully no employees were injured.

The company said: “We are working with the relevant authorities to determine the cause of the fire and to ensure minimal disruption to the local area.

“Our thanks are extended to the emergency services that attended the incident for the extremely efficient and effective manner in which the incident was brought under control.”

The smoke from the blaze was visible across Basildon and some people said the fire could be seen from even further away.

Ryan Beeden, from Grays, was told about the fire and went to Festival Way to see what was happening.

He said: “I got there around 2am and the building was well alight. There were police cars and fire engines everywhere. You could see the smoke for a fair few miles in the distance and the fire lit up the sky. The building was completely alight and you could hear loud bangs from the building collapsing.”

Jamie Price had just left Festival Leisure Park before the fire started to take hold.

He said: “I was driving along the A127 where thick smoke was covering the road. I could barely see 10ft in front of me. As I tried to make my way home, I saw emergency service vehicles rushing to the scene.”

P2P already has a “contingency plan” in place to be back in business as soon as possible.