'Business as usual' after huge Wolverhampton scrapyard fire

EMR Scrapyard in Wolverhampton was engulfed by flames as more than 20 firefighters were sent to tackle the inferno which could be seen for miles around.

The fire is believed to have started shortly before 8pm on Friday night. Five fire engines, an appliance with a crane attached and a hydraulic platform wrestled with the fire for hours before eventually getting it under control around midnight.

Firefighters gained access to neighbouring business Crown Decorating Centre, but there appeared to be no danger after a precautionary check.

The fire is believed to have started shortly before 8pm on Friday night, and was under control by midnight. Crews stayed until Saturday morning, as is normal when there is a large fire at night, before leaving the scene.

The fire was the second at a West Midlands EMR scrapyard in just a matter of weeks. At the end of March the EMR yard in Saltley, Birmingham, went up with huge plumes of smoke visible across the city.

Up to 800 tonnes of metal and plastic were ablaze as more than 100 fire fighters tackled that fire.

Mr Griffiths, operating commander from Sandwell and Dudley, said of the Wolverhampton blaze: "We received the call at around 7.55pm. When we arrived we found a number of cars caught fire. Fortunately nobody has been injured.

"Us gaining access to the Crown Decorator Centre was just as a precaution because of the close proximity to the fire. It's better to be safe than sorry."

He later added: "It's all business as usual now, we have no vehicles left there. We left Saturday morning and it's back to normal for the business.

"A fire is a fire, it was really intense at points and it was significant for crews to get it under control."

Jiao Han, who works at the nearby Tiger chinese takeaway, was shocked to see the massive clouds of smoke and firefighters rush to the scene.

She said: "There was a crowd of about 30 people here before. We were concentrating on work in the back. We didn't hear anything. But then we came out to the front and it was like 'wow'.

"There was so much smoke, and the fire people came. It's good that no-one is hurt. You don't expect to see something like this just outside."

The fire represented a first for West Midlands Fire Service, who live streamed the fire through Facebook's new feature 'Facebook Live'.

Mr Griffiths thinks WMFS may be the first force to have utilised it in the country, and says they have received 'significant feedback'.

He said: "The uniqueness of it all was that we used Facebook Live to live stream it. That's the first time we have ever done it and the first time any fire service in the UK has even done it.

"The feedback we have had has been significant. For people to see how tackle a fire is good, it's not just about throwing water, there's lots of planning."

Councillor Sandra Samuels, who represents the Ettingshall ward where the fire happened, said the blaze was 'devastating'.She said: "I am sure once it has been investigated we will get to the bottom of the cause. But it is very upsetting for the local area.

"One of the questions I have asked but I am yet to hear back on is what is stored at the site ."

The smoke could be seen for miles.

Commenting on the Express & Star's story on Facebook, Joanne Easthope said: "Oh my god awful hope everyone is ok. I live in Coseley and could see the smoke."