This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-22195384

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Severe fire at Birmingham Smurfit Kappa paper mill Severe fire at Birmingham Smurfit Kappa paper mill
(about 1 hour later)
Tens of thousands of tonnes of cardboard is on fire at a paper mill in Birmingham.Tens of thousands of tonnes of cardboard is on fire at a paper mill in Birmingham.
Twenty fire crews remain at the Smurfit Kappa plant, a mill for recycled packaging, in Nechells.Twenty fire crews remain at the Smurfit Kappa plant, a mill for recycled packaging, in Nechells.
More than 70 firefighters are tackling the blaze in Mount Street, which broke out at about 22:00 BST on Wednesday, and 100 were at the scene overnight.More than 70 firefighters are tackling the blaze in Mount Street, which broke out at about 22:00 BST on Wednesday, and 100 were at the scene overnight.
The fire service said no-one had been injured and the fire was now confined to a seven-acre area at the site.The fire service said no-one had been injured and the fire was now confined to a seven-acre area at the site.
But the tens of thousands of tonnes of cardboard was expected to keep burning for days at the site near the M6 motorway. But the cardboard was expected to keep burning for days at the site near the M6 motorway.
Station commander Mal Fellows said the service had help from a police helicopter to keep the fire under control.Station commander Mal Fellows said the service had help from a police helicopter to keep the fire under control.
"It's been particularly difficult due to the high winds and the size of the site. "It's been particularly difficult due to the high winds and the size of the site," he said.
"We've had small fires throughout the night from burning embers but we've been spotting those and we utilised the police helicopter to spot these which has been a great asset for us," he said. "We've had small fires throughout the night from burning embers but we've been spotting those and we utilised the police helicopter to spot these which has been a great asset for us."
A police cordon remained in place around the industrial and residential area on Thursday.A police cordon remained in place around the industrial and residential area on Thursday.
The A47 Heartlands Parkway was closed in both directions between the B4114 Saltley Viaduct/Mainstream Way and B4137 Cuckoo Road.The A47 Heartlands Parkway was closed in both directions between the B4114 Saltley Viaduct/Mainstream Way and B4137 Cuckoo Road.
West Midlands Police said it had been monitoring the fire due to its proximity to the M6, but reported no smoke-related problems on the motorway.West Midlands Police said it had been monitoring the fire due to its proximity to the M6, but reported no smoke-related problems on the motorway.
Mr Fellows said residents to the north and west of the blaze were being advised to keep their windows closed to keep out the ash, but added there were no toxic fumes and no health risk to people living nearby.Mr Fellows said residents to the north and west of the blaze were being advised to keep their windows closed to keep out the ash, but added there were no toxic fumes and no health risk to people living nearby.
He said the fire was under control but the difficulty was in getting water to the flames deep within the cardboard bales.He said the fire was under control but the difficulty was in getting water to the flames deep within the cardboard bales.
Mr Fellows said: "It's still blazing but it is slowing down.Mr Fellows said: "It's still blazing but it is slowing down.
"The good thing is the site is intact, we've protected the buildings and the company had a good fire plan operating which has helped us.""The good thing is the site is intact, we've protected the buildings and the company had a good fire plan operating which has helped us."
Smurfitt Kappa released a statement in conjunction with the fire service that said: "At approximately 10pm last night a fire started in the paper yard and rapidly spread to the remaining raw material stock.
"Emergency services were called and are co-ordinating a combined operation to bring the situation under control.
"No one has been injured and we are co-operating fully with the emergency services on site."
Carl Mcguire, manager of M&M Steel Stock on nearby Trevor Street, said the fire had prevented him from accessing the company's offices.Carl Mcguire, manager of M&M Steel Stock on nearby Trevor Street, said the fire had prevented him from accessing the company's offices.
Mr Mcguire said: "Obviously we're faced with the situation now where we've had to tell all the lads to go home. He said: "Obviously we're faced with the situation now where we've had to tell all the lads to go home.
"We've got customers expecting deliveries today which unfortunately are not going to happen.""We've got customers expecting deliveries today which unfortunately are not going to happen."