There were fears it would damage the A38M Aston Expressway and the rail line during the blaze at about 2am this morning.

Fire chiefs called for the motorway link and the rail line to be closed for about an hour because of the danger of explosions from the blazing pile of cars.

Police believe that the fire at Hoppers Scrap Cars on Electric Avenue was an arson attack.

At its height the blaze, with its huge pall of smoke and flames, could be seen across the city.

Divisional officer Alan Pellow said six fire crews had battled to control the blaze and were pleased the fire had been brought under control quickly because of the effects on the commuter links.

Mr Pellow said the closure at peak hours of the rail line and the A38M would have caused chaos.

“When we arrived there were 60-70 cars piled three or four high on fire with some of them exploding,” he said.

The incident is being investigated by police and fire experts.

Meanwhile, the slip roads on the A38M at Park Circus in the Aston area of Birmingham will be closed over the next two weekends to replace the existing poor road surface.