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Crews tackle fire at Langley Green distillery | Crews tackle fire at Langley Green distillery |
(35 minutes later) | |
Homes have been evacuated as more than 75 firefighters tackle a large fire at a distillery in the Black Country. | Homes have been evacuated as more than 75 firefighters tackle a large fire at a distillery in the Black Country. |
More than 15 crews were sent to the fire at Alcohols Ltd, in Crosswells Road, Langley Green, which started shortly before 10:00 GMT. | More than 15 crews were sent to the fire at Alcohols Ltd, in Crosswells Road, Langley Green, which started shortly before 10:00 GMT. |
Eyewitnesses described hearing explosions at the site, which is near a level crossing. | Eyewitnesses described hearing explosions at the site, which is near a level crossing. |
Residents said they believed the fire had spread to a nearby home. | |
BBC WM reporter James Bovill, who is at the scene, said one eyewitness told him he saw a man covered in flames run screaming from the distillery, which makes gin and vodka. | |
People reported seeing thick black smoke from several miles away, including from the M5. | People reported seeing thick black smoke from several miles away, including from the M5. |
West Midlands Police said Crosswells Road, Tat Banks Road, and the Western Road and Vicarage Road junction with Dog Kennel Lane were closed. | West Midlands Police said Crosswells Road, Tat Banks Road, and the Western Road and Vicarage Road junction with Dog Kennel Lane were closed. |
Thompson Road and New Henry Street have also been shut. | Thompson Road and New Henry Street have also been shut. |
Train services affected | |
Sandwell Borough Council said police were moving people living and working within a 100m radius of the site. | |
Moat Farm Junior School has been opened for refuge for those evacuated from their homes. | |
London Midland said the fire was affecting services between Snow Hill and Stourbridge. | |
It said the Midlands Metro was accepting tickets to the Hawthorns ground, while Network West Midlands was accepting them on its nine, 120 and 127 bus services. | It said the Midlands Metro was accepting tickets to the Hawthorns ground, while Network West Midlands was accepting them on its nine, 120 and 127 bus services. |
Surinder Sohal, who runs a nearby business, said he saw flames that were 40ft to 50ft high. | Surinder Sohal, who runs a nearby business, said he saw flames that were 40ft to 50ft high. |
He said: "It's really, really bad. | He said: "It's really, really bad. |
"It's been burning for about three hours at the moment and there doesn't seem to be any chance of it stopping. You can feel the heat, even standing 300-400 yards away." | "It's been burning for about three hours at the moment and there doesn't seem to be any chance of it stopping. You can feel the heat, even standing 300-400 yards away." |