Police issue update on Willenhall derelict factory fire

Emergency services have revealed the cause of a fire in a derelict building in Walsall after they were called to a blaze on Moat Street, Willenhall on Saturday afternoon.

West Midlands Fire Service rushed to the scene of the blaze, quickly finding a derelict factory unit on fire, where the blaze had spread to the roof of the building. 

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: "Shortly after 4.10pm on Saturday 8 March, we responded to Moat Street, Willenhall.

"Fire engines from Wednesbury, Willenhall, Bloxwich and Brierley Hill responded, crewed by 20 firefighters."

West Midlands Fire Service has said that the blaze was started by a 'rubbish fire', going on to say that due to the unstable structure of the building, the service was forced to use a hydraulic aerial platform to remove unaffected tiles.

The spokesperson added: "A rubbish fire in a derelict factory building spread to the roof. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used four hose reels to extinguish the fire. Drone operations supported them at the scene." 

Due to the blaze, Moat Street was closed from the junctions with Gough Street and Stafford Street while crews worked at the scene.

Walsall Council arranged boarding up and securing of the property. 

Firefighters left the incident at around 9.41pm, returning twice overnight to check for hotspots but none were found.

Pictures from the scene show the extent of the blaze, with loose bricks, scorched walls and roadblocks in place well into the following day.