School and nearby firms close as firefighters battle major Black Country scrap yard blaze with smoke seen from miles away
Black Country residents have been warned by firefighters to close their windows and doors as they deal with a major scrap yard blaze in Tipton involving 1,000 tons of metal.
Fire crews are battling a huge fire at Enablelink scrap yard near George Henry Road which started at about 6.18am on Wednesday.
Businesses trading in the area have closed for the day due to the fire, with a school also closing its doors to pupils and staff.
Paramedics searched the area but no patients were found and ambulance crews were stood down.
Harvills Hawthorn Primary School in Wednesbury has closed, with a spokesperson for the school saying: "We have made the difficult decision to close school today.
"There is a big fire at a nearby factory and the fire brigade are unable to tell us exactly what is burning, we have been advised to keep all windows and doors shut."
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: "Shortly after 6.15am on Wednesday (11 October), we responded to an incident on George Henry Road, Tipton.
"Eight fire engines, one 4x4 brigade response vehicle, two hydraulic platforms and a a high-volume water pumping unit are at the scene. The first vehicle arrived within three minutes of being mobilised.
"This is a fire involving approximately 1000 tonnes of scrap metal. Crews have been supported by a drone, which has been in use to identify fire breakouts across the site.
"The Black Country Route (A41) is currently closed one way whilst we work at the scene. George Henry Road is also closed and diversions are in place. Significant traffic is building up near the KFC by Great Bridge Retail Park.
"West Midlands Police are supporting the closures which will remain in place for some time.
"We will continue issuing updates as we work to bring the incident to a safe conclusion."
The fire service is using the water supply from a nearby canal to help them tackle the fire.
Traffic is building in the area including the Black Country New Road from Moxley to West Bromwich, and the following roads are closed:
A461 Great Western Way eastbound New Road to Black Country New Road
A41 Black Country New Road both ways between Navigation Roundabout and Parkway Roundabout
George Henry Road
A resident near the fire also posted on Twitter, showing the blaze from at least a few miles away.
Residents in the area spoke to the Express & Star concerning the huge blaze.
Gemma Wilkins said: "It's huge, look at it, it's over the top of the buildings. There was some explosions. I think it was explosions, it's terrible."
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were called by Fire colleagues to a large scrapyard fire on George Henry Road in Tipton at around 6.40am. A paramedic officer was sent to the scene where, following a search, no patients were found and we were stood down."
