Smethwick fire: Scene of destruction revealed after huge furniture warehouse blaze - with VIDEO and PICTURES
This is the scene of destruction caused after a fierce fire engulfed a furniture warehouse in Smethwick.
An investigation is under way into the cause of the blaze which gutted the huge factory unit last night.
At its height, around 40 firefighters were sent to tackle the flames at Heartlands Furniture Wholesale Ltd.
Huge plumes of smoke rose from the building as flames burst from the roof lighting up the night sky into the early hours.
Residents were told to keep windows and doors closed as the blaze took hold shortly after 8.30pm yesterday.
As daybreak broke the full extent of the damage became apparent as fire crews began to scale-back their operation.
REVEALED: The destructive force of the blaze in Smethwick
Smouldering, chard debris was strewn across the large warehouse, measuring 98ft by 328ft (30m x 100m), and outside.
The site was criss-crossed by hoses as fire crews dampened down hot embers at the site today.
Twisted metalwork and bricks were scattered by the force of the flames and subsequent fire-fighting operation.
Firefighters continued to use an aerial platform to send water to quell any remaining flames.
They had pumped water from a neighbouring canal to help during the height of the fire.
Cranford Street, near the new Midland Metropolitan Hospital site, remained partially closed today.
Reporter Jamie Brassington showed the scale of the damage caused and the work of the fire crews in the aftermath.
Watch commander Ollie Taylor, from West Midlands Fire Service, said: "At the moment we have got 15 fire service personnel on the scene.
"We expect to be here most of the day due to the nature of the building.
"We will damping down and making the building safe."
They had to tackle the burning embers from the outside due to the structure's unstable roof, with fears it could collapse.
Residents living nearby said they saw large flames and smoke last night.
One man, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was quite shocking to see."
Meanwhile the road closure caused some disruption for businesses.
Mohammed Hanif, who works at Jet Petrol Station on Cranford Street, said: "We haven't had any customers since the road closed last night. We have lost trade."
