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Saltley fire: Cause of huge Birmingham blaze revealed

The Saltley scrapyard fire that saw smoke cover Birmingham on Tuesday was started by a spark from a battery or piece of metal, it was revealed today.

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Fire investigators released details of the cause of the blaze this morning - one day after fire crews finally left the Clarel Avenue recycling centre.

Investigators said the fire was started accidentally when a spark from either a vehicle battery or metal set nearby flammable materials alight.

More than 100 firefighters were tackling the blaze at its peak, with around 800 tonnes of metal and mixed plastic and rubber caught in the flames.

Smoke could be seen for miles around Birmingham after the fire began on Tuesday afternoon and crews did not leave the scene until yesterday.

Nobody was injured in the fire.