Cats rescued as 35 firefighters battle blaze at car repair workshop
More than 30 firefighters have been tackling a large blaze at a car repair workshop in Winson Green overnight.
West Midlands Fire Service was called to the single-storey building in Wellington Street at 12.49am on Wednesday.
Six fire engines, a brigade response vehicle and a hydraulic aerial platform were sent to the scene, crewed by 35 firefighters.
Appliances from fire stations at Aston, Handsworth, Highgate, Ladywood, Perry Barr, Smethwick and West Bromwich all attended and people were asked to avoid the area.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was also called to the scene to support crews but nobody is thought to have been seriously hurt.
However, two cats had to be rescued and have been taken to a vet.
The cause of the blaze is now under investigation.
A spokesman for the fire service said: "At 12.49am on Wednesday we were called to a severe fire in a car repair workshop in Wellington Street, Birmingham.
"The first of our crews arrived in just over three minutes to find the entire single-storey building was involved in the fire.
"Six fire engines, a brigade response vehicle and a hydraulic aerial platform were sent to the scene, crewed by 35 firefighters.
"The police and ambulance services also attended, together with engineers from gas and electricity companies and a rail representative. Smoke was drifting across nearby railway lines during the incident, so train drivers were warned as a precaution.
"By 3am our crews had made good progress and, by 4.30am, the fire was confirmed to be out and our resources were being scaled down.
"This morning, one fire crew remains at the scene to ensure that no hotspots remain.
"Our investigators are working to establish how the fire started.
"Two cats were rescued from the premises by firefighters. They are understood to have been taken to a vet by a police officer."
