This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8162364.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Severe blaze at recycling plant | Severe blaze at recycling plant |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| A large fire at a recycling plant, which forced up to 80 people to leave their homes, is being treated as suspicious. | 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 by Southern Way in Wednesbury, West Midlands, began at about 0400 BST on Wednesday, but was under control after about five hours. | |
| The fire service said it sealed off the 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. |
| About 100 firefighters were sent to the scene of the blaze. | About 100 firefighters were sent to the scene of the blaze. |
| 'Checked over' | |
| Several people, including police officers, have been treated for the effects of smoke, the West Midlands force said. | |
| The A41 was closed in the area at the Patent Shaft roundabout. | The A41 was closed in the area at the Patent Shaft roundabout. |
| The incident happened near 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. | 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 earlier: "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." | "A handful of residents have been checked over but thankfully no-one has required hospital treatment." |
| The fire service said on Wednesday morning the blaze was being treated as suspicious. | |
| Asked about recycled asbestos, Sarah Warnes, spokeswoman for the fire service, said earlier: "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." |
| West Midlands Police said on Wednesday morning the cause of the fire remained unclear and was subject to ongoing inquires by the fire service and police investigators. |