Shock photos of Birmingham carpet factory fire show smoke billowing into the sky as residents are urged to keep windows closed
Fire crews from across the West Midlands have worked through the night to tackle a huge blaze at a carpet storage unit in Tyseley in Birmingham, with a smoke cloud visible from miles away.
More than 75 fire fighters and other personnel from West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) were called into action through Wednesday night and into Thursday morning after the fire broke out at the unit on the Tyseley Industrial Estate.
The fire was reported to have engulfed the entire two storey brick-built factory unit, measuring approximately 100m x 40m, and was reported to WMFS at 7.13pm.
At the height of the blaze, 14 fire engines, three hydraulic platforms, aerial drones and breathing apparatus were all being used to tackle the fire, with updates from the service being sent at 11.08pm on Wednesday and 7.27am on Thursday.
Residents living nearby were advised to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area for the majority of the day, while the nearby Warwick Road was reduced to one lane between Manor Farm road and Colebrook road due to a high volume pump being in use.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "On January 7 at 7.13pm, we were alerted to a significant fire involving a large carpet storage unit on the Tyseley Industrial Estate on Steeleys Road in Tyseley.
"The fire involves 100 per cent of the two storey brick built factory unit measuring approximately 100m x 40m.
"14 fire engines; three hydraulic platforms; specialist units and fire officers bring the current total number of WMFS personnel on scene to more than 75.
"Crews are working to bring the fire under control using specialist equipment such as hydraulic platforms; aerial drones and breathing apparatus.
"This is likely to be a protracted incident and further significant updates will be provided when available.
"Local Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area."
The first update sent during the night at 11.08pm said: "Crews continue to make good progress at the scene of this significant fire.
"Activities on site are unlikely to be scaled down for some time."
The second update on Thursday morning at 7.27am said: "Whilst our presence on scene has been scaled down, 10 fire engines; a hydraulic platform and other specialist equipment remain on scene as crews work to fully extinguish the fire.
"A High volume pump is in use creating delays for those travelling along Warwick Road which is currently reduced to one lane between Manor Farm road and Colebrook road.
"Due to the current levels of smoke, our advice to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area will remain in place for the majority of the day."
