An investigation was under way today into the cause of an “extremely suspicious” fire which spread across a road in the Black Country.

At its height 125 firefighters and 25 fire engines tackled the blaze as smoke containing asbestos particles blew across the area. It has been described as the biggest blaze in the West Midlands this year.

Click here to see more pictures from the scene.

Firefighters were still at the site of three devastated buildings on the Hawthorn Trading Estate in Cornwall Road, Smethwick, today.

A section of an unused building, former rag recycling firm Monty’s Tropical House, collapsed in the drama.

The vacant building next door was also alight just after 12.20pm yesterday. While firefighters were in the street tackling that blaze the building opposite, a business called Paper Recycling UK Ltd, also caught fire with no explanation for it.

Police today said it was still too dangerous for investigators to get on site. Roads nearby were still cordoned off today.