Fire damages cars at Darlaston repair centre
Two cars and 20 tyres were damaged in a severe fire at a car repair centre in the Black Country.
Part of the roof of the building was also badly damaged in the blaze in Darlaston.
But fire chiefs, who tweeted these images from the scene, said the incident could have been much worse.
Four fire crews were called to SCB Cars Limited in Heath Road after a car caught fire before spreading to another car and then other parts of the building, causing significant damage.
The incident happened just after 4pm today when fire crews were alerted to a 999 call made by factory staff.
Two cars inside the building were left badly damaged as well as part of its roof which was torn off.
Tyres inside the building were also damaged as well as electrics.
The cause of the fire is being investigated but is believed to be accidental.
Nobody was injured during the blaze.
Fire crews managed to put out the fire at about 5.30pm using an hydraulic platform before leaving the premises just after 6pm. Crews from Walsall, Wednesbury, Bilston and Tipton were called to the scene.
Chris Hands, watch commander from Walsall Fire Station, said: "It could have been much worse.
"In places like car factories there are lots of chemicals and toxic materials.
"If it got to them then it could have destroyed the whole building but thankfully that's not the case.
"It's always good to have your fire drills in place and the staff here did everything right before we came to the scene.
"What we understand is one car has caught fire, it has spread to another car and then onto tyres. We are investigating what caused it.
"The whole building has suffered smoke damage and part of the roof has also come off.
"I'm not too sure how the owner is going to get that repaired."
Bosses of SCB Cars Limited declined to comment.
