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What causes industrial fires?

Industrial fires, like the one in Essex, often start due to flammable materials, electrical faults, or human error. Warehouses and factories store many substances that can ignite easily, and machinery can overheat. Sometimes, a spark from equipment or even a dropped cigarette can trigger a major incident, especially if safety protocols aren't followed.

Stories that explain this

Major Explosion And Fire Hit Essex Industrial Site

Questions this opens up

What are flammable materials? How do electrical faults cause fires? What is human error in factories?

Related explainers

What are common industrial hazards? What is fire containment? What is an industrial site? Who works at industrial sites? What is a corrosive? What is COSHH? Why declare a 'significant incident'? How do firefighters tackle big blazes?

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