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-birmingham-23123549

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Smethwick fire: Chinese lanterns blamed for 'largest blaze' Smethwick fire: Chinese lanterns blamed for 'largest blaze'
(35 minutes later)
A huge fire involving 100,000 tonnes of plastic recycling material, thought to have been sparked by Chinese lanterns, has been contained say firefighters.A huge fire involving 100,000 tonnes of plastic recycling material, thought to have been sparked by Chinese lanterns, has been contained say firefighters.
Crews described the blaze, which also involved a factory unit, as the largest they had seen in the West Midlands.Crews described the blaze, which also involved a factory unit, as the largest they had seen in the West Midlands.
More than 200 firefighters attended the fire in Smethwick. Three of them have been taken to hospital.More than 200 firefighters attended the fire in Smethwick. Three of them have been taken to hospital.
The fire, which produced a 6,000ft smoke plume, is said to have caused £6m damage to the Jayplas depot.The fire, which produced a 6,000ft smoke plume, is said to have caused £6m damage to the Jayplas depot.
The blaze in Dartmouth Road is within an industrial estate, but the closest residents were being advised to keep windows closed.The blaze in Dartmouth Road is within an industrial estate, but the closest residents were being advised to keep windows closed.
The fire service said Dartmouth Road, Halfords Lane and Brasshouse Lane were closed to traffic and that the fire was likely to cause congestion in the area.The fire service said Dartmouth Road, Halfords Lane and Brasshouse Lane were closed to traffic and that the fire was likely to cause congestion in the area.
It also urged motorists to avoid junction one of the M5 if possible.It also urged motorists to avoid junction one of the M5 if possible.
Nearby Galton Valley Primary School in Brasshouse Lane was closed because of the road closures.Nearby Galton Valley Primary School in Brasshouse Lane was closed because of the road closures.
Birmingham International Airport was alerted although flights were unaffected.Birmingham International Airport was alerted although flights were unaffected.
'Tremendous heat''Tremendous heat'
Chief fire officer Vij Randeniya said the fire, which began at about 23:00 BST on Sunday, had taken eight minutes to take hold after a lantern landed in the depot.Chief fire officer Vij Randeniya said the fire, which began at about 23:00 BST on Sunday, had taken eight minutes to take hold after a lantern landed in the depot.
The blaze has been contained to an area of about 90,000 sq m although it has caused "£6m worth of devastation", Mr Randeniya said.The blaze has been contained to an area of about 90,000 sq m although it has caused "£6m worth of devastation", Mr Randeniya said.
"We've removed 12 articulated lorries, saved an awful lot of businesses on the perimeter and now we're to spend the next two or three days putting the thing out," he said."We've removed 12 articulated lorries, saved an awful lot of businesses on the perimeter and now we're to spend the next two or three days putting the thing out," he said.
"The heat that's coming off that fire is tremendous."The heat that's coming off that fire is tremendous.
"The smoke's gone up to 6,000 feet but it's sucking the air in around the area and that's feeding oxygen which is making the fire burn more fiercely.""The smoke's gone up to 6,000 feet but it's sucking the air in around the area and that's feeding oxygen which is making the fire burn more fiercely."
Mr Randeniya said it was the 15th fire at a waste-transfer station in the West Midlands this year and he is calling for high-level meeting with operators. Mr Randeniya said it was the 15th fire at a waste-transfer station in the West Midlands this year and said he was calling for a meeting with its operators.
The service has previously campaigned against the use of Chinese lanterns.The service has previously campaigned against the use of Chinese lanterns.
"What you're doing in an unregulated and uncontrolled way is putting fire in the sky and every now and again it lands on something like this and we're here for three days," Mr Randeniya said."What you're doing in an unregulated and uncontrolled way is putting fire in the sky and every now and again it lands on something like this and we're here for three days," Mr Randeniya said.
Area commander Steve Vincent described it as the "largest fire that we've had in the West Midlands".Area commander Steve Vincent described it as the "largest fire that we've had in the West Midlands".
The fire service said its control centre had received more than 200 calls about the blaze.The fire service said its control centre had received more than 200 calls about the blaze.
The ambulance service said it had treated 11 firefighters "for a variety of minor injuries, though three were taken to hospital overnight".The ambulance service said it had treated 11 firefighters "for a variety of minor injuries, though three were taken to hospital overnight".
"Injuries include heat exhaustion, injuries to eyes and an ankle as well as one minor burn," a spokesman added."Injuries include heat exhaustion, injuries to eyes and an ankle as well as one minor burn," a spokesman added.
'Loud bangs''Loud bangs'
Public Health England in the West Midlands said smoke from any source could contain substances to irritate breathing, skin or eyes.Public Health England in the West Midlands said smoke from any source could contain substances to irritate breathing, skin or eyes.
"People with asthma and other respiratory conditions may be particularly susceptible to the smoke and should carry and use their medication (such as inhalers) as usual," said a spokesman. "People with asthma and other respiratory conditions may be particularly susceptible to the smoke and should carry and use their medication [such as inhalers] as usual," said a spokesman.
Witness Jack Awal said he could see the fire from his home two miles away in Handsworth.Witness Jack Awal said he could see the fire from his home two miles away in Handsworth.
He said: "I heard a loud bang and went outside to see what it was.He said: "I heard a loud bang and went outside to see what it was.
"I immediately recognised where the smoke was coming from. I knew it had to be a factory."I immediately recognised where the smoke was coming from. I knew it had to be a factory.
"It was like a scene from a movie. There were so many large explosions and loud bangs. It was like a firework display - there were loud crackles and bangs every few seconds.""It was like a scene from a movie. There were so many large explosions and loud bangs. It was like a firework display - there were loud crackles and bangs every few seconds."
No-one from Jayplas was available for immediate comment.No-one from Jayplas was available for immediate comment.