The blaze on Tuesday, which required the evacuation of 40 residents living nearby, was initially treated as suspicious, but fire service investigators later concluded the cause was accidental.
“The wood yard and shop, containing timber products, glues, resins and adhesives went up in a ball of smoke,” said a spokesperson for Essex Fire & Rescue Service.
As the fire took hold, crews had to be withdrawn for their safety and firefighting operations continued from outside the site.
“Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there was nothing that could be done to protect the timber yard and shop,” said incident commander divisional officer Greg Keys.
??Divisional officer Vernon Kendall, who led the fire investigation, said the site was completely secure and there was no sign of a break in. “We have concluded the cause was accidental,” he said.
