Fire spreads through £6m library build

Flames spread through cavity wall insulation at a new £6 million library and office complex in the Black Country.

Seven fire engines battled to control flames for two hours at Jack Judge House, in Halesowen Street, Oldbury, yesterday.

But the damage will not delay its handover date to Sandwell Council, contractors said.

Polystyrene insulation caught fire within the wall covering in all three storeys of the building at around 11.50am.

Tipton watch commander Paul Harpin said: "There was smoke coming out of every corner of the site. We had to break windows to get water into the building. Thankfully all the builders evacuated the site."