Express & Star

Severe blaze destroys Wolverhampton factory on family-run industrial estate

Around 40 firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze overnight.

Published
@WMFS_PICS took these photos of the fire

A severe fire has ripped through a factory on an industrial estate owned by the family of a late councillor.

Up to 40 firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control at the industrial unit in Blakenhall overnight.

Marshalls Industrial Estate was managed by Staffordshire councillor Robert Marshall, affectionately known as Robbie, before his death last year.

At its peak, eight fire crews were needed to tackle the blaze, which started shortly before midnight at the Sedgley Street factory.

@WMFS_PICS took these photos of the fire

Flames ripped through the two-storey unit forcing firefighters to bring in an aerial platform to tackle the blaze from above.

The building which caught fire is owned by 100-year-old family business JH Marshall Pressings LTD and is part of the industrial estate.

Jane Marshall has been managing director of the engineering firm since January and took over following the death of her husband.

She said: "I'm very upset but so pleased that nobody has been hurt.

"The building which caught fire is one on the industrial estate which we rent out. The fire service are carrying out a full investigation."

The fire-damaged factory building

The blaze appears to have destroyed the roof and the first floor of the brick building.

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: "The structural engineer has attended the property and deemed the building to be structurally sound."

The incident was scaled down in the early hours and a single crew remained on site at daylight to continue checks.

WATCH footage from the fire:

Specialist gas, electricity and structural engineers have been at the site.

Photos taken at the scene showed flames and smoke rising through where the roof of the gutted factory used to be.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.

Councillor Marshall died aged 57. He was a county, district, and parish councillor in Codsall, Staffordshire.

Councillor Robbie Marshall
Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.