Wednesbury fire: Smoke billows out from major factory blaze
A huge plume of smoke rose above Wednesbury on Tuesday afternoon due to a major fire at a factory.
Days after an accidental scrapyard blaze in Tipton, which involved 1,000 tons of metal, another large fire has broken out in the area.
The Express & Star understands the fire has broken out at the Exallot business on Patent Drive.
Police have closed Moorcroft Drive from the junction with Hallens Drive.
The blaze is reportedly at a fibre glass company in Patent Drive, Wednesbury.
Sandwell resident Darryl Magher tweeted: "Huge fire in Wednesbury not sure of exact site."
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: "Shortly after 12.05pm, we responded to an incident on Patent Drive, Wednesbury. Ten fire engines, a 4x4 brigade response vehicle and a hydraulic aerial platform are currently in attendance.
"This is a severe fire in a single-storey factory unit. A high volume water pump is being used as crews work to bring the fire under control. An evacuation has been undertaken and everyone working inside the unit has been accounted for and there have been no reported injuries."
The spokesman added: "Police and ambulance colleagues are also in attendance. If your home or workplace is affected by the smoke plume, please keep your doors and windows closed. We will continue to update this page as we receive more information."
Adam Foley, from Walsall, went to the scene whilst driving past.
He said: "The fire is at a fibre glass factory, the whole building has already been destroyed and the fire has only been going for an hour and a half.
"All the workers at the factory were out the front and chatting to each other so it looks like everyone is safe."
He added: "The police and fire are pushing back the safety cordon now so I have left."
The spokesman added: "Police and ambulance colleagues are also in attendance. If your home or workplace is affected by the smoke plume, please keep your doors and windows closed. We will continue to update this page as we receive more information."
Adam Foley, from Walsall, went to the scene whilst driving past.
He said: "The fire is at a fibre glass factory, the whole building has already been destroyed and the fire has only been going for an hour and a half.
"All the workers at the factory were out the front and chatting to each other so it looks like everyone is safe."
He added: "The police and fire are pushing back the safety cordon now so I have left."
A nearby witness called Matt said: "We were evacuated from the building opposite as it set our fire alarms off. We thought it was a drill but as we got down into reception it became clear from the smell that it was some sort of chemical fire.
"We could smell the chemicals. They do work with chemicals in that building. We quickly got evacuated. And all the staff from that building did too.
"The building has been decimated. All the staff, their cars are still there and I imagine it will be millions of pounds worth of damage done."
Another man working nearby, who wished to be remain unnamed, said: "The fire was huge before, big flames from the sides of the buildings. We were quickly evacuated and told to get our vehicles out of the car park.
"I believe they work with fibreglass there and you could smell it burning.
"We’ll now be off for the rest of the day as we’re not allowed back in or anywhere near."
A driver from KTC, the business opposite, said: "I was driving back from a job and saw huge plumes of smoke. The building was covered. I just
"Hope nobody got hurt and everyone got out safely. You could smell the burning of whatever materials they work with there. A weird smell."
West Midlands Ambulance have been contacted.
Another witness, a driver from KTC, the business opposite, said: "I was driving back from a job and saw huge plumes of smoke. The building was covered. I just hope nobody got hurt and everyone got out safely.
"You could smell the burning of whatever materials they work with there. A weird smell."
More to follow.
