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"It had slowly smouldered before igniting nearby materials, eventually causing a much larger fire."

The fires she describes are caused by a former illegal landfill site which has become known as the Rainham Volcano for its constantly smouldering underground blazes.

Under Arnolds Field on Launders Lane, tonnes of years-old and illegally dumped toxic waste have been smouldering beneath the surface for years.

At least 16 helicopters are also being used, with images showing the aircraft dumping water onto the smouldering hills.

Then torrential rain - while helping douse any smouldering embers - caused mudslides in the burn area and runoff of toxic ash and chemicals into the ocean, prompting further closures.