Crews tackle big fire at West Bromwich industrial unit

More than 50 firefighters tackled a blaze at a disused factory unit in West Bromwich today.

The fire broke out in the former European Commercial Pressings Ltd site in Holyhead Road, next door to West Bromwich Albion's Hawthorns stadium at just after 4.30am.

The fire closed the A41 for almost three hours.

The fire was located deep inside the steel building which measures 328ft by 98ft and fire crews pumped water from a nearby canal to put out the flames.

West Midlands Fire Service group commander Jim Sinnott said: "We got some calls at 4.38am this morning to the disused factory.

"Although disused it was full of a lot of materials, cardboard and woods.

"We don't know how it started, but it started in the middle of the factory so the only way to put it out was to commit crews into the danger area to go and find the fire.

"The building is still in good shape. We dealt with it quickly and that has probably saved the building."