Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

Firefighters are working with a local farmer to try to stop the flames from spreading further.

Drivers on the M11 near Epping are being asked to drive slowly due to the amount of smoke.

The fire service says a number of residents have been made homeless following the blaze.

Firefighters face a "limited" water supply due to the remote location of the blaze.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service is "on the brink" due to exhausted crews, a union says.

Residents attempt to tackle the fire themselves before the fire service arrives.

A crew will remain at the scene to dampen down and check for hotspots, the fire service says.

Essex fire service says it would be "highly irresponsible" not to order the closure of the building.