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| Saltley recycling site fire sees more than 800 tonnes ablaze | Saltley recycling site fire sees more than 800 tonnes ablaze |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Up to 800 tonnes of metal and plastic is ablaze at a recycling plant in Birmingham with huge plumes of smoke visible across the city. | Up to 800 tonnes of metal and plastic is ablaze at a recycling plant in Birmingham with huge plumes of smoke visible across the city. |
| More than 100 firefighters were sent to tackle the fire at EMR in Saltley, West Midlands Fire Service said. | |
| Power supplies to 4,000 homes were cut off at 19:45 BST because the site of the fire is underneath pylons. | Power supplies to 4,000 homes were cut off at 19:45 BST because the site of the fire is underneath pylons. |
| Emergency services were alerted at about 14:00 BST. Residents were advised told to keep doors and windows shut. | |
| National Grid staff is also at the scene because of concerns about a gas main next to a nearby canal. | National Grid staff is also at the scene because of concerns about a gas main next to a nearby canal. |
| The fire service said it believed the blaze started accidentally. | The fire service said it believed the blaze started accidentally. |
| A spokesman for Western Power Distribution, which supplies power in the area, told BBC News initial fears that 40,000 homes could be affected were allayed after it temporarily re-routed power around the network. | A spokesman for Western Power Distribution, which supplies power in the area, told BBC News initial fears that 40,000 homes could be affected were allayed after it temporarily re-routed power around the network. |
| More updates on this and other stories in Birmingham and the Black Country | More updates on this and other stories in Birmingham and the Black Country |
| Properties in the Nechells and Saltley area were affected, but by 20:50 BST, only five properties were left without power, the spokesman said. | Properties in the Nechells and Saltley area were affected, but by 20:50 BST, only five properties were left without power, the spokesman said. |
| There are now 10 fire engines at the scene in Clarel Avenue. Seventeen were needed at the fire's peak. | |
| BBC WM producer Kevin Pashby tweeted video of smoke billowing into the sky. | BBC WM producer Kevin Pashby tweeted video of smoke billowing into the sky. |
| West Midlands Fire Service tweeted: "The guys and girls are working really hard to stop this spreading. In dangerous conditions, lots of pops and bangs." | West Midlands Fire Service tweeted: "The guys and girls are working really hard to stop this spreading. In dangerous conditions, lots of pops and bangs." |
| The fire service urged people to stop calling after receiving more than 100 999 calls. | The fire service urged people to stop calling after receiving more than 100 999 calls. |
| Staff from the Environment Agency, which regulates the site, are at the scene because of initial concerns over pollution. | |
| Neil Johnston, West Midlands Fire Service station commander, said he expected crews to remain at the scene for several days because of the severity of the fire. | Neil Johnston, West Midlands Fire Service station commander, said he expected crews to remain at the scene for several days because of the severity of the fire. |
| From the scene: BBC Midlands Today's Elizabeth Glinka: | From the scene: BBC Midlands Today's Elizabeth Glinka: |
| There are huge flames and plumes of black smoke coming from the fire with more fire engines arriving at the scene every few minutes. | There are huge flames and plumes of black smoke coming from the fire with more fire engines arriving at the scene every few minutes. |
| I believe there are over 100 firefighters here now along with other emergency crews and Network Rail as there are two rail lines nearby. | I believe there are over 100 firefighters here now along with other emergency crews and Network Rail as there are two rail lines nearby. |
| I've seen a train approach very, very slowly as it has gone through the smoke, although we believe services are managing to get through. | I've seen a train approach very, very slowly as it has gone through the smoke, although we believe services are managing to get through. |
| Public Health England has also been called to the scene. | Public Health England has also been called to the scene. |
| There are no reports of injuries. | There are no reports of injuries. |