Firefighters battle major industrial blaze involving 60 tons of waste rags in West Bromwich
Firefighters were called to a blaze at an industrial building involving 60 tons of waste rags in West Bromwich.
The service initially had eight appliances and specialist equipment, including a digger, in attendance on Bullock Street after the fire broke out at around 2am.
Residents in the area were told to keep their windows closed.
A fire investigation officer attended the site and concluded the fire was of an accidental nature.
It involved 60 tons of industrial waste rags at a steel frame and metal-clad industrial building.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire and Rescue said: "A severe fire was reported in a steel frame and metal-clad industrial building on Bullock Street, West Bromwich.
"The fire involved around 60 tons of industrial waste rags and was attended by eight firefighting crews, a hydraulic platform and supporting crews.
"Crews had two main jets, one hose reel jet and a total of 13 breathing apparatus wearers tackling the blaze. An onsite digger was used to remove affected material from the building to be extinguished and damped down.
"Utility companies attended the site to isolate the electric and gas of the affected property.
"A fire service drone was also mobilised to the scene and used to carry out scene observations and assessments.
"A hazardous materials officer attended the incident and made an assessment of the materials involved.
"Residents were requested to keep doors and windows shut as a precaution, but there is no immediate risk to the public from the smoke plume and run off water was contained on site."
The incident was reduced to four crews at around 5am and as of 8.30am, one appliance remains at the scene.
It appears to be in an industrial area near to Forresters Builders Merchants, according to a video shared by UK Incident News.
