Fire crews tackling blaze near secondary school and sixth form in West Bromwich
Multiple fire crews have battled a blaze near a secondary school and sixth form in West Bromwich after a fire was reported.
The West Midlands Fire Service said nine crews are currently in attendance at The Phoenix Collegiate in Hateley Heath, West Bromwich.
Reports from the fire service said crews are tackling a fire involving "gorse wasteland".
Six crews were present at the scene at around 5.50pm, but three additional fire appliances were sent to the incident.
Residents are being encouraged to avoid the area where possible.
A post on social media at 5.51pm said: "We have six crews in attendance at The Phoenix Collegiate, Hateley Heath, West Bromwich where they have responded to a fire on gorse wasteland. Please avoid the area, where possible."
An update at 6.40pm added: "We now have nine crews in attendance at this incident. Good progress is being made to extinguish the fire. Due to the smoke in the area local residents are asked to keep windows and doors closed at this time."
