EMR fire in Essex likely caused by lithium-ion battery

The fire was reported at the metal recycler’s East Tilbury site near the Thames Estuary in Essex on 30 October at approximately 8pm.

Four fire engines attended the blaze from Basildon, Corringham, Grays and Orsett fire departments, with crews staying on site until the early hours of the next morning.

A specialist crane was used to move scrap metal so firefighters could tackle hotspots effectively.

A spokesperson for EMR said: “Our team responded swiftly, activating our on-site emergency protocols and immediately notifying the fire service.

“Working closely together, our team and the fire service brought the incident under control in a timely manner.

“We would like to thank the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for their quick response and support in managing the incident.”

EMR confirmed that no injuries were sustained as a result of the incident and that there was also no structural damage to the site or any of its equipment.

The metal recycler said that initial investigations suggest that a lithium-ion battery was the cause of the fire.

The spokesperson added: “We remain committed to working closely with our customers, partners, and battery manufacturers to reduce the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.

“We also educate communities on their safe disposal and recycling, helping to prevent incidents and protect people and the environment.

“We continue to take a proactive role in collaborating with the wider recycling industry, both in the UK and internationally, to address this growing challenge.”

According to Material Focus, more than 1,200 battery-related fires broke out in refuse vehicles and waste facilities during 2023/24 – a 71% increase on the previous year.

In September 2025, the Environmental Services Association (ESA) issued a stark warning that battery fires in the UK’s waste sector have reached “epidemic levels”.

The EMR spokesperson concluded: “We would like to apologise to the local community, neighbouring businesses, and our customers for any inconvenience caused.

“Safety remains our highest priority – for our colleagues, our communities, and the environment – as we continue to ensure that metal recycling plays a vital role in building a safe, sustainable, circular economy.”

Local residents and businesses were initially asked to keep windows and doors closed and to avoid the area.