'The flames were high in the air and it looked ferocious' - Shocked residents recall hearing 'bangs' as update issued on huge blaze near Stourbridge

On Sunday three crews have been at the scene of the blaze, in Hayes Lane, all day and are expected to remain there for around two more hours.

The fire started on Saturday evening around 6pm and raged overnight, with 54 firefighters and 13 engines attending including from Brierley Hill, Haden Cross and Stourbridge initially before they were joined by others.

It affected three businesses, including a fishing tackle shop and a tyre depot and householders were told to stay inside their homes, with some having the power shut off as a precaution. 

Water supply was also temporarily affected and the road from Hayes Lane from the main A458 to Stour Vale Road remains closed.

Watch commander Andrew Papworth said they hope to have the road open for Monday morning and were working with their colleagues at West Midlands Police to monitor the situation.

He said: "We have been damping down all day and making the area safe and operations are hopefully coming to an end but the seriousness of the fire, and the fact it is close to residential property means we need to take all precautions before we can get people back to normal.

"We will be returning at 7pm and sending a drone with thermal imaging cameras up to look at the units and check all the fires are out and that it is safe to re-open the road.

"That will likely be in the early hours of Monday morning though it is not certain but that is what we are looking at currently. 

"I would like to thank the residents of Hayes Lane, Stour Vale Road and the whole area for their co-operation as they were inconvenienced whether that was inside their homes or not being able to access the road for a long period."

Eddie Mantle, who lives in Hayes Lane, said he saw the fire outside the front of his house and it 'went up quick.'

He said: "There was a lot of bangs, which seemed to last for about an hour but fire engines were quickly on the scene and they must have had a real battle to control it because the flames were high in the air and it looked ferocious.

"We saw it all from the window and watched on as what seemed like hundreds of firefighters tackled it. 

"They did an amazing job and we were given advice to keep all doors and windows closed and not to go out. 

"It wasn't an inconvenience to be asked to stay inside, it is just a relief everyone is safe, though our hearts go out to the businesses affected."

People living nearby also took to the Stourbridge Matters Facebook page to comment, with many praising the work of the emergency services. 

Karen Fitzpatrick said: "Well done to the fire service and crew who attended the fire they did an amazing job."

Stacey Crage said: "Well done to all services involved in tackling this, not only have the owners lost their business but it's their livelihood too, and their workers and staff... it's how they feed their families! Heart goes out to them all."

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said an investigation was underway into the cause of the blaze.