Fire crews spend 15 hours at scene of large rubbish blaze sparked by arsonists

Around 70 tons of rubbish was set alight at land to the back of Cat and Kittens Lane in Featherstone last night.

Crews were alerted to the blaze at around 8.30pm but were unable to leave the scene until 3pm this afternoon.

West Midlands Fire Service and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue crews said it had been alight for a considerable time before being spotted, due to its isolated location. By then large plumes of black smoke were billowing from the site.

Highways England issued precautionary warnings about smoke drifting across the M54 and affecting driving conditions. Messages went up on overhead gantries alerting drivers to take extra care.

Fire investigators say the blaze was started deliberately.

The blaze involved tons of industrial and commercial waste which was densely compacted which hindered the rescue operation.

The fire was reported widely on social media as many living in the area believed the flames and trails of thick smoke to be coming from the prison grounds.

A fire service spokesman said the incident was being treated as an arson attack after five separate seats of fire were discovered. An investigation has been launched.

Station manager Adam Snell said the situation was compounded by the fact there was no readily available water supply nearby.

He said: "The location was isolated, with no water anywhere near, so a water carrier was requested from Cannock. Firefighters had to shuttle water backwards and forwards to tackle the flames.

"The waste material was so heavily compacted and deeply seated it was difficult for the water to penetrate."

He said there was 'no doubt' the blaze, in an old depot on a derelict industrial site, had been started deliberately.

Crews from Fallings Park, Tettenhall and Wolverhampton also attended the fire.

Firefighters initially faced difficulties gaining access to the site because of its isolated location. Engines tried to reach the scene through the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency HGV testing centre on Cat and Kittens Lane but could not find a way through.

They finally managed to get to reach the fire via an access road running alongside HMP Oakwood, the Category C prison next to HMP Featherstone.

A mechanical digger was brought to the scene on Saturday to rake over the blackened debris to make sure it was entirely extinguished.