Explosion starts blaze at Great Barr tower block
An aerosol can exploded on the balcony of a Great Barr tower block, sparking concern from residents.
Emergency services were alerted to the explosion by neighbours living in Hamstead House, Coniston Crescent, just after 6pm last night.
The blaze, which was started when the aerosol exploded after being left in sunlight, was contained to the second floor balcony of the high-rise building.
Fire crews from Perry Barr, Handsworth Green and West Bromwich attended.
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: "We were called at 6.12pm - there were quite a few calls from the tower block.
"It was a fire on the second floor caused by an aerosol can exploding.
"The fire was contained to the balcony and we managed to put it out using a ladder and a jet from outside."
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and equipped with a hose reel checked the flat over afterwards.
The Handsworth Green crew tweeted afterwards: "Fire/explosion on balcony in high rise flat. Fire caused by exploding aerosols left in sunlight."
The stop message was sent through at 7pm.
