'Absolutely gutted': Tipton scrapyard boss distraught after blaze rips through yard
The director of a Sandwell scrap metal dealer has been left distraught by the fire which has engulfed his company's unit.
Joshua Long was on site all of Wednesday at Enablelink Ltd in Tipton, after receiving a call that a large pile of scrap was on fire at around 5.45am, then discovering the site was on fire.
The fire at the site on George Henry Road had seen schools and businesses cleared and homes nearby told to close their windows and doors while the fire was burning amid claims of explosions in the yard in the early hours.
Crews from West Midlands Fire Service were working to bring the blaze, which was spewing thick clouds of smoke into the air, under control, while a thick, metallic smoke smell lingered in the air.
Mr Long said the company had been operating on the site for more than two years and had been working to ensure fire cannons set up on the site were fully commissioned, but he was still dealing with the emotional cost of the fire.
He said: "I'll be honest, I'm absolutely gutted about this. I was on my way in this morning when I heard about it and we still don't know what the cost will be, but I know it's going to massively impact the company.
