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Birmingham tyre centre fire in Wharfdale Road, Tyseley | Birmingham tyre centre fire in Wharfdale Road, Tyseley |
(about 2 hours later) | |
More than 100 firefighters have battled a "severe fire" at a tyre centre in Birmingham. | More than 100 firefighters have battled a "severe fire" at a tyre centre in Birmingham. |
The blaze broke out at Tornado Tyres in Wharfdale Road, Tyseley, at about 02:30 GMT on Thursday. | The blaze broke out at Tornado Tyres in Wharfdale Road, Tyseley, at about 02:30 GMT on Thursday. |
West Midlands Fire Service described the fire as "quite dangerous" and "challenging" at its height, and residents said their windows cracked. | West Midlands Fire Service described the fire as "quite dangerous" and "challenging" at its height, and residents said their windows cracked. |
Owner Abid Mahmood said he was "devastated" and his dog was killed in the fire. | Owner Abid Mahmood said he was "devastated" and his dog was killed in the fire. |
Muhammad Asif, 36, who lives across the road from the tyre centre, said: "I heard a really loud bang at about 02:50 this morning. | |
"At first it was a small fire at the back and roof of the building, and then within 10 minutes the flames had totally spread. | |
"We live across the road and the fire was so intense, our front windows upstairs have cracked. | "We live across the road and the fire was so intense, our front windows upstairs have cracked. |
"Even with the windows closed we could still feel the heat." | "Even with the windows closed we could still feel the heat." |
Another local resident said: "The windows were cracking and the room was bright. | Another local resident said: "The windows were cracking and the room was bright. |
"And I opened the curtains and I had the shock of my life." | |
Mr Mahmood, who has owned the tyre centre and workshop for 10 years, said he suspected arson. | |
"There were plenty of tyres inside and now everything is gone - it is devastating," he said. | "There were plenty of tyres inside and now everything is gone - it is devastating," he said. |
"I don't know what happened. Someone may have done it deliberately because tyres don't burn easily. | "I don't know what happened. Someone may have done it deliberately because tyres don't burn easily. |
"I'm in shock and my dog Tiger was inside. He was like my own kid." | |
West Midlands Fire Service said 20 fire engines attended the fire and no-one was inside at the time. | |
Area commander Neil Griffiths said the tyre dealership had been "totally destroyed". | Area commander Neil Griffiths said the tyre dealership had been "totally destroyed". |
He said: "At the height of the fire the conditions were incredibly challenging and quite dangerous, which is why we needed over 100 firefighters to deal with it assertively, safely and effectively. | He said: "At the height of the fire the conditions were incredibly challenging and quite dangerous, which is why we needed over 100 firefighters to deal with it assertively, safely and effectively. |
"The flames were incredible." | "The flames were incredible." |
He added the fire service are investigating the cause of the blaze. | He added the fire service are investigating the cause of the blaze. |
Neighbouring wholesaler Millennium Carpets was also affected by the fire. | Neighbouring wholesaler Millennium Carpets was also affected by the fire. |
The fire was brought under control by 07:30 GMT, and firefighters are set to remain at scene for most of the day. | The fire was brought under control by 07:30 GMT, and firefighters are set to remain at scene for most of the day. |
Road closures are in place and residents have been asked to avoid the area, West Midlands Police said. | Road closures are in place and residents have been asked to avoid the area, West Midlands Police said. |
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. | Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, on Twitter, and sign up for local news updates direct to your phone. |