IN PICTURES: 45 firefighters tackle blaze at former council office in Willenhall
More than 40 firefighters tackled a blaze which ripped through a derelict former council office in the Black Country.
Flames could be seen coming from the Allens Centre in Willenhall as fire caused damage to around 60 per cent of the building with part of the tiled pitch roof demolished.
Crews were called to Hilton Road at just before 11.30pm last night and remained at the scene this morning during damping down.
At its height 45 firefighters were at the scene with 12 in breathing apparatus. It took several hours to bring under control with the fire service starting to scale back at around 2.30am.
West Midlands Fire Service spokesman Matthew Smith said: "The incident involved a severe fire in a void single-storey building measuring 80 metres by 30 metres.
"It has affected approximately 60 per cent of the building. They used three hose reel jets and three main jets. He added the cause of the blaze was not known at this stage.
The Allen's Centre was declared surplus to council requirements earlier this year.
The building was vacated in August last year when social care and inclusion staff relocated to the Civic Centre.
