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Explosion as more than 100 firefighters tackle blaze at industrial site

July 25, 2026 at 00:24

A "significant" blaze at a large industrial unit in Essex caused supplies of fertiliser to explode as more than 100 firefighters tackled the flames.

Fire crews were called to the blaze on Southend Road, between East Hanningfield and Rettendon, at 4.50pm on Friday.

People living near the site were told to keep their windows and doors closed, and a "major incident" was declared as thick black smoke engulfed the surrounding area.

A number of industrial units and a field caught alight, and while fire crews were at the scene, fertiliser in one of the units exploded.

In an update at 10.45pm, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had been brought "under control and surrounded", and there had been no reports of any injuries.

Nearby residents have been evacuated and dozens of firefighters are expected to remain at the scene overnight.

The service's area manager Dave Bond said: "We're still at the scene of a significant fire in East Hanningfield.

"... we're still dealing with significant spots of fire. However, we do have this incident under control and surrounded.

"We're in the process of scaling back, but we do still have 50 firefighters on scene. We're still working closely with our partners, including police, ambulance, utility companies, and we also have a number of specialist advisers on scene, giving us support as we move through the night."

Mr Bond added: "The incident will be ongoing into the weekend, so please stay away from the area and allow us to continue operations. We apologise for any inconvenience this caused, and we thank you for your patience.

"The advice we're still giving to the public is that if you do smell smoke, then close your doors and windows. But please bear with us as we continue our operations to extinguish the fire."

Colin Neale Jr was driving along the A13 near Dagenham when he saw the plumes of smoke.

He told Sky News earlier that, as he drove closer, he realised how big the fire was and decided to send his drone up over the fields.

Mr Neale said the drone showed "multiple fields" had caught fire and it appeared two industrial complexes were affected.

Local councillor Danielle Belton told Sky News: "The incident has really shook the community, the explosion was heard and felt for miles surrounding the site.

"As always, our fire and rescue service have shown an incredible display of bravery and dedication to getting the situation under control and to protect those closest to the incident."

A spokesman for East of England Ambulance Service said its hazardous area response team had gone to the scene.

Boy, 17, dies after Luton stabbing as murder investigation launched

July 25, 2026 at 00:51

A teenager has died after a stabbing in Luton following reports of disorder, where "a number of teenagers" were seen "carrying large knives", police have said.

The 17-year-old boy was taken to hospital with multiple stab wounds after officers were called to Kingsway Recreation Ground shortly after 6.30pm on Friday.

The victim has not yet been formally identified. His family are being supported by specially trained officers.

Police said one teenage boy has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with the incident and is being questioned in police custody.

A second teenager arrested on suspicion of violent disorder remains in hospital with serious injuries.

A murder investigation has been launched, with detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit appealing for witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gardener said: "Horrific violence in Luton has sadly cost a teenage boy his life today.

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the loved ones of the boy who lost his life in such tragic circumstances.

"Incidents such as this have a significant impact on our communities. There is currently an increased police presence in the area, and high visibility patrols will continue."

He added: "I would urge anyone who witnessed what happened, or who has any information, to come forward and speak to police to help us bring those responsible to justice.

"We are aware that images and videos are circulating on social media. Please refrain from sharing any such footage and instead contact police. Not only is this material distressing for the family, but it could also form part of vital evidence in our investigation."

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Father who killed his newborn son 'in a moment of pure violence' jailed for life

July 24, 2026 at 17:28

A man has been sentenced to life in prison after murdering his four-week-old son by shaking him.

Tony Bartlett, of Axminster, Devon, faces a minimum term of 18 years behind bars after attacking Atticus Bartlett on 16 July 2022 in a "sudden fit of anger".

The 39-year-old and his then-partner Evelyn Ballentyne, Atticus's mother, had gone to a pub and comedy club that evening, Bristol Crown Court previously heard.

Ms Ballentyne's mother, Rachel Donovan, and her husband Andrew went to the family home in Chard, Somerset, to care for the child.

Bartlett drank eight-and-a-half pints of lager over the course of the evening before returning home with Ms Ballentyne, and was left alone to feed Atticus in the living room, while she went upstairs to change around 11pm.

He then violently shook Atticus, it was alleged, causing severe internal injuries to the baby's brain and spinal cord.

Atticus' brain damage was so severe that he did not regain consciousness or manage to breathe for himself, and he died at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children just before midnight on 23 July 2022.

Bartlett was convicted of murder on 8 July after denying the charge and an alternative count of manslaughter.

Prosecuting, Charles Row KC said he had been "drunk and frustrated".

He told jurors: "Mr Bartlett can't admit to himself that when he was drunk, in a moment of pure violence, he did something that he will regret for the rest of his life."

The baby suffered three rib fractures which were not the result of resuscitation efforts.

Sentencing, Mr Justice Cavanagh told Bartlett: "I have no doubt that this terrible tragedy would not have happened if you were not so heavily intoxicated."

Bartlett had been feeding Atticus with a bottle and the baby was bringing up the milk.

The judge went on: "In your drunken state, Atticus's inability to take the bottle as well as you thought he should enraged you.

"You had a sudden fit of anger. You vented that anger on your tiny baby son. You shook him very violently indeed, gripping him very tightly round his ribcage.

"This only lasted a few seconds or at most a minute or so. Just in that brief moment, you wanted to cause Atticus serious injury."

Experts said Atticus' injuries were associated with "vigorous shaking", with the fractures caused by "gripping and squeezing", the court heard.

Ms Ballentyne said she is contending with "severe anxiety" after her son's death.

She said in a victim personal statement: "I had to wait 11 hours and 18 minutes for Atticus to die. It was horrendous. I was scared to go out, I was scared to stay in.

"I don't enjoy any moments because I have a dead son. It is mentally and emotionally draining all the time. It is awful."

Basketball great LeBron James, 41, ditches retirement plans

July 24, 2026 at 20:48

US basketball star LeBron James has announced he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers - after ditching tentative plans to retire from the sport.

The 41-year-old said that while he had been "pretty sure" he was going to quit this summer when his previous team, the Los Angeles Lakers, exited the playoffs, he had now decided to give the sport one last shot.

James wrote on social media: "This is my last decision. I'm not going for money. I'm not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point?

"I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship."

He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has spent the last eight seasons of his career with the Lakers, leading them to a title win in 2020.

But the world of basketball has been on tenterhooks for weeks for news of his next move - and whether he would continue playing for a record-extending 24th season.

In a lengthy statement, James admitted: "I thought I was done when the season ended. I wasn't ready to announce it, and I knew I needed some time to really decide, but I was pretty sure I played my last game."

But he said the last few weeks had "really been special" while he took "real time to just think".

"I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energise a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time," James added.

However, commentators said the star may have his work cut out. The East Coast side has not won a title in 43 years.

James did not disclose the terms of his new deal. But ESPN reported that the four-time champion had signed a two-year, $8m (£6m) contract.

Such a deal would be a significant pay cut, considering he reportedly made more than $50m (£37.5m) with the Lakers last season.

Four officers seriously injured after police boat crashes into Westminster Bridge in London

July 24, 2026 at 22:19

Four officers have been seriously injured after a police boat crashed into Westminster Bridge in central London.

The vessel, carrying armed officers, hit the structure at around 3.40pm on Friday, according to the Metropolitan Police.

The force said the boat, from its marine policing unit, was responding to reports of a person in the water further along the river in Battersea, south-west London.

The Met said three officers "entered the water, but were recovered" following the crash. A total of five officers were injured.

Paramedics were seen treating the injured on a rigid black inflatable boat moored to the side of the River Thames.

Met Police Commander Nick John said: "Our thoughts are with all those involved, in particular our officers who were injured and those who responded in challenging circumstances.

"The four officers who remain in hospital have serious but non-life-threatening injuries. We will give them all every support as they recover."

"I must also offer our thanks to those river users who came to the aid of the officers, as well as other police and emergency service colleagues who immediately made their way to the scene to assist.

"The quick-thinking and professionalism of all those involved undoubtedly prevented any further injuries."

A fifth injured officer has since been discharged from hospital.

No members of the public were involved or injured.

The Met said the circumstances would be "thoroughly reviewed".

A large number of police officers, fire crews and ambulances were on the scene - with traffic across the bridge overlooking the Houses of Parliament at a standstill.

A police boat was later seen being towed by a larger boat from the fire service.

Witnesses Katherine and Jim Bagley, from Gloucester in the US state of Massachusetts, were queuing for a river cruise when they saw an orange boat travelling at "high speed" along the river followed by the black police boat.

Mr Bagley told Sky News: "It looks to me that he [the police boat skipper] got stuck in the wake of the other boat that had just passed through the bridge and slammed into the wall on the opposite side...

"The next thing we saw was three people in the water, coming down the river."

While the couple did not see the moment of impact, Mr Bagley said the orange boat eventually turned around and came back to help.

He added: "Sadly, one of the men [in the water], from what we could tell, I don't know if he was unconscious or what, but he did not move the whole time we saw him there... I hope he's OK."

Cecilia Lusevic, 56, and her 12-year-old son Mateo Bilis-Lusevic said they heard a loud bang when the crash happened.

The visitors to the UK, from Chile, were on a Thames tour boat on the north side of the bridge. They were evacuated from their vessel shortly afterwards.

Mateo said: "Two boats were riding extremely fast through the water. Suddenly, I heard a boom. I was looking towards the boat, and I heard a boom.

"Then three people went flying into the water and one of the people was really hurt."

The officers were in the water for around 10 minutes and a life ring was thrown for one of them by someone, he said.

Following the crash, crowds of onlookers watched the aftermath from the bridge before being moved from the area.

Surrounding roads and two entrances of nearby Westminster Underground station were also closed.

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