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Fire crews are searching for people thought to be trapped in a clothing factory which is on fire in the West Midlands. 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 collapsed and not all the people who had been inside were accounted for. 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 the Monty's Tropical Rags factory. Police have shut roads around Cornwall Road, along with Bridge Street North, Rabone Lane and Downing Street.
Cornwall Road, along with Bridge Street North, Rabone Lane and Downing Street were shut while the fire was being tackled. Eyewitnesses have reported large black plumes of smoke across the area and the police helicopter has been circling overhead.
Eyewitnesses reported large black plumes of smoke across the area and the police helicopter was 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 had 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. 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.
'Real bad one'
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 at the moment. It's a real bad one." "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."