Coseley shop fire: Blaze sparked by 'explosion involving e-cigarettes'

The blaze happened at the Local Express shop, in Hurst Road, at around 4.20pm.

• UPDATE: The cause of the fire has been investigated

It is believed to have involved an electric heater and e-cigarettes.

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said it has involved an electric heater, cigarette lighters and e-cigarettes.

"The heat from the fire caused an explosion," they added.

Reporter Lucy Thompson was at the scene.

Firefighters used two hoses to help extinguish the blaze.

Three crews from Dudley and Tipton went to the scene.

The service road at Clifton Street and Hollywell Street was blocked in the aftermath.

Crews at the scene tweeted pictures showing the shop blackened inside by the fire.

Debris was brought outside during the clean up operation.

It is believed all staff are uninjured but are in shock after the blaze.

Dozens of people gathered at the scene.

Passers by said they 'couldn't believe it'.

Bill Whitby, 55, said: "I was walking to Tesco when I saw fire and police.

"I didn't realise what had happened but overheard from someone that it was an explosion.

"I'm so glad everyone is ok because the damage is terrible.

"The staff all seem very stressed but at least they're safe."

Elaine Lewis, 39, said: "its absolutely awful. There's clearly a lot of damage been done to the shop.

"An explosion at someone's local shop isn't something that happens everyday and it sounds like a freak accident."