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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Major fire at Smethwick recycling factory tackled | Major fire at Smethwick recycling factory tackled |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A fire involving 50,000 tonnes of plastic recycling material and a factory unit in the West Midlands has been declared "a major incident". | A fire involving 50,000 tonnes of plastic recycling material and a factory unit in the West Midlands has been declared "a major incident". |
| The fire service said 150 firefighters were at the scene in Smethwick. | The fire service said 150 firefighters were at the scene in Smethwick. |
| A plume of smoke is rising 6,000ft into the air. Birmingham International Airport has been alerted although there is currently no impact on flights. | A plume of smoke is rising 6,000ft into the air. Birmingham International Airport has been alerted although there is currently no impact on flights. |
| The incident is on an industrial estate, but the closest residents are being advised to keep windows closed. | The incident is on an industrial estate, but the closest residents are being advised to keep windows closed. |
| The fire service said Dartmouth Road, Halfords Lane and Brasshouse Lane were closed to traffic and that the incident was likely to cause congestion in the area. | |
| It also urged motorists to avoid Junction 1 of the M5 if possible. | |
| 'Loud bangs' | |
| Crews are expecting to be at the scene on Dartmouth Road for days. | |
| The fire service said its control centre had received more than 200 calls about the blaze and urged people to call 999 only if really necessary. | The fire service said its control centre had received more than 200 calls about the blaze and urged people to call 999 only if really necessary. |
| Jack Awal said he could see the fire from his home a couple of miles away in Handsworth. | Jack Awal said he could see the fire from his home a couple of 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." |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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