Six fire crews called to blaze in derelict three-storey office building in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter
Six fire engines have been sent to a blaze in a derelict three-storey building in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter.
West Midlands Fire Service was called to Barr Street at around 1.15pm on Thursday (December 18).
The fire took hold in a derelict office building, with firefighters wearing breathing apparatus and using two hose reels. Police and ambulance personnel have also attended.
A section of nearby Great Hampton Street has been closed, with the fire service warning people to 'avoid the area'.
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: "Shortly before 1.15pm on Thursday we were called to reports of a fire on Barr Street, in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham.
"Six fire engines, a brigade response vehicle and a hydraulic aerial platform are currently in attendance, crewed by firefighters from Ladywood, Aston, Handsworth, Perry Barr, Ward End, Smethwick and Oldbury fire stations. Further resources are being sent to the scene, including a hydraulic aerial platform.
"This is a fire in a three-storey derelict office space. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are using two hose reels to tackle the fire.
"A section of Great Hampton Street has been closed. Please avoid the area whilst we work at the scene."
The fire service said that a multi-agency briefing has taken place, with police and ambulance crews also in attendance.
The spokesperson added: "Work is ongoing at the scene to safely extinguish the fire, with a hydraulic aerial platform currently in use.
"Traffic disruption continues in the area. Please consider alternative travel arrangements.
"A multi-agency briefing has taken place, with police and ambulance colleagues in attendance. Police staff are supporting with road closures and traffic management.
"Tactical firefighting continues as we seek to locate further seats of fire within the building."
A further update said the fire had been contained to the room it started in and extinguished by 4.15pm.
The fire service spokesperson said: "The fire, measuring around 20m x 10m, has been extinguished and contained to the room of origin on the first floor."
West Midlands Ambulance Service dispatched a Hazardous Area Response Team but no patients required treatment.
A spokesperson said: "We were called to reports of a fire on Barr Street in Birmingham at 2.02pm and sent two paramedic officers and our Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.
"On arrival, crews found no patients, and we were stood down from the scene."
