50 people evacuated after fire in West Bromwich

Around 50 workers were evacuated this afternoon (FRI) after a fire at a recycling plant, which caused plumes of black smoke visible from miles around.

The blaze began at around 1.45pm at Arrow Environmental Services on Kelvin Way.

Acrid black smoke shot into the air from the fire, the cause of which is unknown.

Workers at the scene described how the flames escalated in seconds and a series of bangs, thought to be mini explosions, followed.

Staff from four separate firms on the same industrial estate were rushed out by police and fire crews, who were on the scene within minutes. Some of the employees and residents were taken to art gallery The Public.

Bromford Lane was also closed between Lyttleton Street and Kelvin Way and motorists are being advised to avoid the area.

Grandfather-of-six David James, of PK engineering on the estate, said he was unloading a lorry when he heard "explosions".

"You could tell it was big straight away," he said.

Hardip Burmi (Corr), director of PK was at its sister site in Credenda Road, Oldbury, when he heard the first bang.

The father-of-two said: "I couldn't tell what was going on over there but when I realised it was a fire I just hoped everyone got out safely."

Russell Gould, of Farm Road, Langley, was at work at neighbouring business Natralight.

He said he saw flecks in the air from the blaze and initially thought Arrow workers must have been burning pallets.

"Then I saw it, it went up like cinder blocks in seconds. It was massive.

"You could taste the smoke in your mouth straight away, it was horrible.

"We just got out as quick as we could."

No-one is believed to be hurt. Fire crews remain at the scene.

Arrow are not yet available for comment as owners are investigating the damage.