Firefighters tackling factory blaze in Dudley with smoke seen for miles around

Peartree Lane was shut with motorists hit by delays in the area.

A full site evacuation and roll call has been carried out and everyone has been accounted for.

Smoke can be seen from miles around as crews battle to put out the flames.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: "The first vehicle arrived at the scene within three minutes of being mobilised. This incident involves a significant fire on the first floor of a factory unit.

"Firefighters in breathing apparatus are attempting to bring the fire under control. We will be issuing updates on this incident when we have them."

An update was later sent by West Midlands Fire Service about the fire at 3pm.

The spokesman said: "Half of the building of the building has been affected by fire. No casualties have been reported.

"The fire, which is at a bakery processing plant, is surrounded but not yet out.

"As well as working to extinguish the fire itself, our crews are using water to cool a number of flour silos and protect them from the fire.

"Peartree Lane has been closed as our crews work to bring this job to a safe conclusion.

"West Midlands Ambulance Service's Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) are in attendance, alongside colleagues from West Midlands Police, who are assisting with the road closure."

A member of staff at Ehrco UK Ltd said he had first been alerted to the fire when he heard sirens outside and looked out to see huge plumes of smoke from the site.

He said: "All I know is that we heard the sirens and looked out to see what was going on, then saw the unit on fire and lots of black smoke billowing into the air.

"They closed off Peartree Lane as there was a possible threat of gas lighting up and I did see firefighters on a moving platform working to get the fire under control.

"The units right next to it were told to evacuate, but we've been able to carry on as there's been no immediate threat to us."

A further update at 4.55pm said that hydraulic platforms had been brought in to help with the efforts to extinguish the fire.

The update read: "Twenty-one fire engines, five 4x4 brigade response vehicles, two hydraulic platforms and a high volume water pumping unit are at the scene.

"Over 100 Firefighters are being supported by specialist technical rescue colleagues and a drone pilot.

"The fire is being tackled in four different sectors, with nine main water jets currently in operation. Good progress is being made.

"A multi-agency briefing involving police, ambulance, the local council and site representatives has taken place.

"We are asking people to avoid the area as we work to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.

"If people living or working nearby are affected by smoke, they should keep windows and doors closed.

"Hose lines delivering water to the incident grounds within the immediate area may cause some disruption to roads."

Crews were still at the site of the fire hours later, with the smoke cloud visible from as far away as Wolverhampton city centre.

A spokesman posted an update on Twitter at around 8.20pm asking people living nearby to stay indoors.

The update read: "Over 100 firefighters with 20 fire engines & supporting units are continuing to work hard to stop the spread of fire at the scene of significant blaze on Crackley Way, Netherton.

"Please keep windows & doors closed."