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Severe blaze at recycling plant Severe blaze at recycling plant
(41 minutes later)
A large fire at a recycling plant, which has forced up to 80 people to leave their homes, is being treated as suspicious, the fire service says. A large fire at a recycling plant, which forced up to 80 people to leave their homes, is being treated as suspicious.
The fire at AWM Recycling on Southern Way, Wednesbury, West Midlands, began at about 0400 BST on Wednesday, but was under control by 0730 BST. The fire at AWM Recycling by Southern Way, Wednesbury, West Midlands, began at about 0400 BST on Wednesday, but was under control by 0730 BST.
The fire service said it had sealed off an area as a large volume of recycled asbestos is stored at the site. The fire service said it sealed off the area as a large volume of recycled asbestos is stored at the site.
Fifteen fire engines have been sent to the scene of the blaze. About 100 firefighters were sent to the scene of the blaze.
The A41 has been closed in the area at the Patent Shaft roundabout. The A41 was closed in the area at the Patent Shaft roundabout.
The ambulance service said between 70 and 80 residents had been led to safety - some had gone to stay with friends or relatives and others went to Darlaston police station. The incident happened near to where Southern Way meets the Black Country New Road.
The ambulance service said between 70 and 80 residents were led to safety - some had gone to stay with friends or relatives and others went to Darlaston police station.
A spokesman said there had not been any casualties from the fire itself.
He said: "The fire has caused a thick plume of acrid black smoke to move into a nearby housing area.
"A handful of residents have been checked over but thankfully no-one has required hospital treatment."
Asked about recycled asbestos, Sarah Warnes, spokeswoman for the fire service, said: "It is a concern as far as contamination is concerned.Asked about recycled asbestos, Sarah Warnes, spokeswoman for the fire service, said: "It is a concern as far as contamination is concerned.
"But if residents are in doubt, then just keep their doors and windows shut.""But if residents are in doubt, then just keep their doors and windows shut."