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Thirty firefighters tackle Norton Canes factory blaze - WATCH

Forty firefighters tackled a blaze at a factory, which saw the building evacuated

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Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service released these images of the fire

Crews from Staffordshire and the West Midlands were called to the fire at an aluminium processing plant in Norton Green Lane, Norton Canes yesterday.

The accidental fire started in a 'hopper' at the Norton Aluminium Limited plant at around 11.45am.

Fire crews said the cause of the fire is still under investigation. The road next to the factory remained closed off for most of the afternoon.

Dermot Hogan from the fire service said: "We got a call at 11.45am and on attending discovered a fire in a hopper.

"Crews from West Midlands and Staffordshire attended.

"We managed to contain the fire and worked to fully extinguish it to hand it back over to the owners."

Firefighters from Cannock, Lichfield, Penkridge, Bloxwich, Aldridge, and Walsall headed to the scene, as well as police.

One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "We went down to the bottom of the drive, there were gushes of thick black smoke and then flames.

"The flames lasted at least 20 minutes. I was worried about an explosion."

A Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman the fire was extinguished just before 4pm.

WATCH: Fire crews tackle blaze at factory site

The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed, and the road was closed.

Crews from Cannock, Lichfield, Penkridge, Bloxwich, Aldridge, and Walsall were at the scene, with pictures on social media also showing police at the scene.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "Norton Green Lane is closed at this time. Any residents requiring access are asked to speak to fire officers at the location."

Dermot Hogan from Staffordshire Fire Service said crews have worked to bring the blaze under control.

The fire was extinguished shortly before 4pm.