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Nine firefighters injured tackling 'largest ever' blaze in West Midlands Smethwick fire: nine firefighters injured tackling 'largest ever' blaze in West Midlands
(about 3 hours later)
A huge fire in the West Midlands – which has resulted in nine firefighters being treated for injuries or exhaustion and a smoke plume reaching 6,000 feet – was caused by a Chinese lantern, the fire service said. A huge fire in the West Midlands – which has resulted in nine firefighters being treated for injuries or exhaustion and a smoke plume rising two kilometres (6,000ft) – was caused by a Chinese lantern, the fire service said.
Two of those hurt were taken to hospital as a precaution as more than 200 firefighters tackled the "very deep-seated" blaze involving 50,000 tonnes of paper and plastic at a recycling plant in Smethwick on Monday. Air travel over an area around Birmingham might be affected by the plume, according to West Midlands fire service, which has warned that the incident could last well into Tuesday. Two of those hurt were taken to hospital as a precaution as more than 200 firefighters tackled the "very deep-seated" blaze of 50,000 tonnes of paper and plastic at a recycling plant in Smethwick on Monday. Air travel over an area around Birmingham might be affected by the plume, according to West Midlands fire service, which has warned that the incident could last well into Tuesday.
People living near the J&A Young planthave been warned to keep their windows shut, and a local primary school will not open on Monday. Motorists were told not to use junction 1 of the M5. People living near the J&A Young planthave been warned to keep their windows shut, and a local primary school will not kept closed on Monday. Motorists were told not to use junction 1 of the M5.
Staff from the Environment Agency have been at the site checking for potential contamination from water run-off. They say there is little sign of damage so far in the neighbouring canal and are working to divert as much as possible into sewers.Staff from the Environment Agency have been at the site checking for potential contamination from water run-off. They say there is little sign of damage so far in the neighbouring canal and are working to divert as much as possible into sewers.
Public Health England has reinforced warnings for local residents to stay indoors and do all they can to stay out of the smoke, and advised motorists to keep windows and air vents closed and turn off air-conditioning.Public Health England has reinforced warnings for local residents to stay indoors and do all they can to stay out of the smoke, and advised motorists to keep windows and air vents closed and turn off air-conditioning.
At the fire's peak, more than 200 firefighters and 45 fire engines, three hydraulic platforms as well as two special high pumping units to help water supplies, were engaged in containing the fire to a 300 sq m site. By mid-day on Monday, the number of firefighters involved had fallen to about 100. At the fire's peak, more than 200 firefighters and 45 fire engines, three hydraulic platforms as well as two special high pumping units to help water supplies, were engaged in containing the fire to a 300 x 300 metre site. By mid-day on Monday, the number of firefighters involved had fallen to about 100.
Chief fire officer Vij Randeniya said the fire was the 15th this year at a waste transfer site in his authority. Forensic investigations backed up by CCTV suggested the fire had been caused by a Chinese lantern. "You put some fire in the sky, it lands in combustible material and you get a multimillion-pound incident like this."Chief fire officer Vij Randeniya said the fire was the 15th this year at a waste transfer site in his authority. Forensic investigations backed up by CCTV suggested the fire had been caused by a Chinese lantern. "You put some fire in the sky, it lands in combustible material and you get a multimillion-pound incident like this."
Paying tribute to 19 firefighters who have died fighting fires in Arizona, Randeniya made a plea for fire services to avoid cuts. "Fire fighting is a tough and dangerous job. That is why we train hard, why we resource well and why we would urge the government to retain the current financial levels," he said in a video played from the scene of the fire via the service's Twitter account.Paying tribute to 19 firefighters who have died fighting fires in Arizona, Randeniya made a plea for fire services to avoid cuts. "Fire fighting is a tough and dangerous job. That is why we train hard, why we resource well and why we would urge the government to retain the current financial levels," he said in a video played from the scene of the fire via the service's Twitter account.
Randeniya expected firefighters to be on the scene until Tuesday. As the molten plastic hardened once more with the fires' waning, it would require removal by mechanical diggers, he said.Randeniya expected firefighters to be on the scene until Tuesday. As the molten plastic hardened once more with the fires' waning, it would require removal by mechanical diggers, he said.
Injuries to firefighters included heat exhaustion, injuries to eyes and an ankle, and a minor burn, according to the local ambulance service.Injuries to firefighters included heat exhaustion, injuries to eyes and an ankle, and a minor burn, according to the local ambulance service.
J&A Young, which trades as Jayplas, claims to be the UK's largest plastics recycler. It also has two sites in Loughborough and one each in Derby and Manchester, with its main products being polythene refuse sacks.J&A Young, which trades as Jayplas, claims to be the UK's largest plastics recycler. It also has two sites in Loughborough and one each in Derby and Manchester, with its main products being polythene refuse sacks.
Witness Jack Awal told the BBC he could see the fire from his home two miles away in Handsworth: "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.Witness Jack Awal told the BBC he could see the fire from his home two miles away in Handsworth: "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.
"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."
Chinese lanterns made of paper-covered wire or bamboo with an open-flame heat source – effectively miniature hot-air balloons – have been increasingly used to celebrate special occasions but have become a nuisance for fire services and animal charities, having been blamed for fires around the country for a number of years. The Chief Fire Officers' Association has called for a review of their use. West Midlands fire service itself carries warnings on its website appealing to the public not to use them, not only because of the obvious dangers but because "emergency services can also suffer a loss of resources whilst having to deal with lantern sightings being mistaken as something else eg a distress flare or UFO".Chinese lanterns made of paper-covered wire or bamboo with an open-flame heat source – effectively miniature hot-air balloons – have been increasingly used to celebrate special occasions but have become a nuisance for fire services and animal charities, having been blamed for fires around the country for a number of years. The Chief Fire Officers' Association has called for a review of their use. West Midlands fire service itself carries warnings on its website appealing to the public not to use them, not only because of the obvious dangers but because "emergency services can also suffer a loss of resources whilst having to deal with lantern sightings being mistaken as something else eg a distress flare or UFO".
Only last month Somerset fire service and Michael Eavis, organiser of the Glastonbury festival, where they have been banned for years, warned music-lovers not to ignore the edict because of the danger both to other festivalgoers in their tents and to local farms.Only last month Somerset fire service and Michael Eavis, organiser of the Glastonbury festival, where they have been banned for years, warned music-lovers not to ignore the edict because of the danger both to other festivalgoers in their tents and to local farms.
The RSPCA says the lanterns can harm wildlife, livestock and other animals, which may eat dangerous splinters, become entangled in parts or be killed in fires.The RSPCA says the lanterns can harm wildlife, livestock and other animals, which may eat dangerous splinters, become entangled in parts or be killed in fires.
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