Up to 80 people have been evacuated from their homes after a “severe” fire broke out overnight at a recycling plant in Walsall.

The blaze began on Western Way in Moxley shortly before 4am and firefighters cordoned off the area due to the presence of a large quantity of asbestos at the site.

Police evacuated residents while 15 fire engines and scores of firefighters tackled the flames.

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Many of the evacuees went to friends of relatives, while the rest were moved to Darlaston police station.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said there had been no serious casualties.

The service sent two ambulances and the hazardous area response team (Hart) to the scene, while an additional paramedic was at the police station.

A spokesman for the service said: “The fire has caused a thick plume of acrid black smoke to move into a nearby housing area.

“So far there have not been any casualties from the fire itself, though a handful of residents have been checked over, but thankfully no-one has required hospital treatment.

“Ambulance staff will remain at the scene due to the large number of fire fighters tackling the blaze. The members of the Hart team have specialist equipment in case it is required to enter the areas affected by the smoke.”