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/8280824.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Search for people trapped in fire | Search for people trapped in fire |
(40 minutes later) | |
Fire crews are searching for people thought to be trapped in a fire at a clothing factory in the West Midlands. | |
About 130 firefighters have been tackling the fire at the Hawthorn Trading Estate in Cornwall Road, Smethwick, since 1220 BST. | About 130 firefighters have been tackling the fire at the Hawthorn Trading Estate in Cornwall Road, Smethwick, since 1220 BST. |
Part of the roof has collapsed and not everyone who was in Monty's Tropical Rags factory has been accounted for. | |
Police have shut roads around Cornwall Road, along with Bridge Street North, Rabone Lane and Downing Street. | |
Eyewitnesses have reported large black plumes of smoke across the area and the police helicopter has been circling overhead. | |
It's been difficult for them to tackle it - there are at least 20 fire engines there Shaun Abbey, eyewitness | |
The fire service earlier told people living and working within a half-mile radius of the site, which is near West Bromwich Albion's football stadium, to leave their homes. | |
By 1430 BST, fire chiefs told people they no longer had to leave but should keep their windows and doors shut. | By 1430 BST, fire chiefs told people they no longer had to leave but should keep their windows and doors shut. |
Some firefighters had to leave the site when part of the building collapsed. | Some firefighters had to leave the site when part of the building collapsed. |
'Fire spreading' | |
Police said it was not yet known what had caused the fire. | Police said it was not yet known what had caused the fire. |
Shaun Abbey, of nearby Richmond Motors, said he had been told by police to choose whether to stay or close. | Shaun Abbey, of nearby Richmond Motors, said he had been told by police to choose whether to stay or close. |
However, he said they had decided to leave as the fire started spreading towards the building. | However, he said they had decided to leave as the fire started spreading towards the building. |
He said: "The fire's been spreading across from that building and could be going towards another company. | He said: "The fire's been spreading across from that building and could be going towards another company. |
"It's been difficult for them to tackle it - there are at least 20 fire engines there. It's a real bad one." | |
Wayne Shaw, who works near the industrial estate, said he saw the fire spread to two other buildings. | |
He said: "It was bad - the building was collapsing and all the asbestos was being thrown to the floor." |