Scare as cars and van go up in flames

Two cars, a motorcycle and a van were destroyed when fire broke out in an industrial unit in the Black Country. Up to 20 firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze.

Crews had to make sure they were upwind and wearing breathing apparatus when the roof of the building in Hainge Road, Oldbury, was found to contain asbestos. No-one was inside as a security guard elsewhere in Hainge Road raised the alarm.

An old style Mini, a motorbike, a Transit-style van and what firefighters believed was an MG car were burned out.

The site is owned by John Gibson, who is understood to be away.

Crew commander Simon Woodward of West Midlands Fire Service said: "It was quite a serious fire and has caused extensive damage.

"The roof was asbestos lined cement so we had to be upwind and out of the smoke but there was no danger to anyone else.

"Fire investigation teams have been on site but at this stage we cannot establish a cause."

The fire was out quickly and the firefighters had left the scene by 2.30am.

It was the second fire involving asbestos in Sandwell in less than three weeks.

On September 29 firefighters tackled a blaze at the Hawthorn Trading Estate in Smethwick, the cause of which was found to be "extremely suspicious". No-one has been arrested.

At its height 125 firefighters tackled the blaze as smoke containing asbestos particles blew across Birmingham. It was described as the biggest blaze in the West Midlands this year.

While firefighters were in the street tackling that blaze a building opposite also caught fire, in mysterious circumstances.