'Avoid the area' - Firefighters and police called to blaze near Walsall railway station

Firefighters and police have been called to a blaze near Walsall railway station.

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Emergency services were called to Little Station Street on Thursday morning. It is believed they were called to a disused building.

The scene has been cordoned off by police.

Trains are still running, however the entrance to the car park at the railway station has been blocked off.

Walsall Police warned people on X that emergency services are expected to remain there for some time.

People are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

Walsall Police posted just after 8am: “We are currently at the scene of a fire in Little Station Street, Walsall, along with colleagues from West Midlands Fire Service.

“Emergency services are expected to remain here for some time and we advise people to avoid the area and find alternative routes.”

A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: “At around 6.40am on Thursday (25 June) we were alerted to an incident in the Station Street area of Walsall.

“Three fire engines attended, from Walsall and Bloxwich fire stations, the first arriving within three minutes of being mobilised. The incident involved an electrical substation on the ground floor of a disused, three-storey, mid-terraced property of mixed commercial and domestic use.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels and a fire extinguisher to extinguish a fire in the substation. Two men were treated at the scene for what are believed to be serious electrical burns, before being taken by ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

“National Grid attended, and engineers been working to restore power to nearby properties. We’re working with the police to establish the full circumstances. As of 9.30am, Station Street remained closed in both directions. People are asked to avoid the area, to allow emergency services and partner agencies to continue their work safely.”

Passers-by have reacted to the news. One person said: “It must have happened early this morning. I haven't seen anything.

“Most of those buildings are disused I think, so I don't know what's gone on there."

James Gough, aged 36, of Walsall, said: "Shocking to see really, I thought it was another death to start with. Hope everyone's okay though."

Jenna Singh, aged 45, said: "I hope everyone's alright. I think most of the buildings aren't used, so hopefully everyone is okay."

West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed that two men have been treated for ‘serious burn injuries’, with both being transported to hospital for further treatment.

An ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called to reports of an incident on Navigation Street at 6.38am, two ambulances and a MERIT trauma doctor with a critical care paramedic attended the scene.

“On arrival, we discovered two patients, both men. They were treated for serious burn injuries before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham.”