Digger driver helped firefighters

Firefighters used a rescued digger to disperse debris

A building site digger was rescued from a heap of burning industrial waste by its driver who then helped firefighters bring the blaze under control.

Crews were called to Purdeys Estate in Rochford, Essex, in the early hours. A digger was perched on top of the pile and fire crews used foam on the flames.

The driver moved the digger and used it to turn over the debris so water could then be used, a spokesman said.

Crews spent four hours fighting a fire in 200 tonnes of waste and debris.

A fire service spokesman said: "On arrival, the crews were confronted with a rapidly developing fire within a huge mountain of rubbish.

"Crews worked hard during the early stages of this incident to prevent the fire reaching the digger.

"This paid dividends when the digger driver arrived.

"The machine was started and used together with other heavy plant to break up the rubbish to allow crews to use normal water jets."