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 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
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 200 firefighters were at the scene in Smethwick. | |
Nine firefighters have been taken to hospital after tackling the fire at the Jayplas depot in Dartmouth Road. | |
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 fire was likely to cause congestion in the area. | |
It also urged motorists to avoid junction one of the M5 if possible. | |
'Loud bangs' | 'Loud bangs' |
Area commander Steve Vincent said emergency services were called to the fire at about 23:00 BST on Sunday. | |
Mr Vincent said: "We haven't evacuated any of the local residents because this is mainly an industrial area but we have had some minor injuries to some of our firefighters at the scene. | |
"We're working with other emergency services and they're all safely being treated. | |
"We will have major congestion in this area because we will be fighting this fire for the next few days. | |
"This is the largest fire that we've had in the West Midlands. It is a major fire and we've got support from surrounding fire brigades to help us deal with this." | |
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. |
Eye-witness 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. |
Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |