More than 50 firefighters tackled a blaze at a Walsall carpet factory outlet today, yards from Banks’s Stadium.

Thick plumes of black smoke from the fire could be seen billowing for miles around.

The blaze broke out in a building on Broadwalk Retail Park, Bescot Crescent.

Residents and traders were ordered to stay indoors because of the smoke as a precaution because of asbestos from the building’s roof.

Around 50 people were told to stay inside Walsall FC’s stadium while the fire was brought under control.

Spokesman for the stadium Dan Mole said: “The fire was opposite Matalan and you could see the flames licking up the side of the building when it first started.”

Luke Perry, aged 26, of Bescot Crescent, said he was stunned when he looked out of his window and saw smoke.

He said: “At first I thought Walsall football ground was on fire. There was thick black smoke everywhere.”

Traffic on the M6 near Junction 9 slowed down as drivers watched the blaze and Bescot Crescent was sealed off.