Heavy smoke seen over Wolverhampton city centre after fire breaks out in Beatties car park
Thick plumes of smoke have been seen over Wolverhampton city centre after a fire broke out in a car park in the Beatties building.
The fire broke out at about 4.50pm today (July 22) at the building on the corner of Skinner Street and School Street.
A spokesperson for the West Midlands Fire Service said a fire had broken out in a multi-storey car park.
The spokesperson said: "We have had a call in about a fire in a multi-storey car park where a fire has gone through the roof. We have crews there and others on the way now."
Firefighters, police and ambulance personnel all rushed to respond.
Later, a spokesperson for the fire service said: "The fire service has left the scene of the incident at a void building in Wolverhampton. It was a fire at a void property."
The incident was under control by 5.30pm but bystanders were shocked to see the smoke pouring into the skies over the city centre.
Sara Gough, 40 and of Wolverhampton, told the Express & Star: "It's crazy; there was so much smoke, it was a bit hard to breathe."
"You could see it from the other side of the city. It's a bit horrible."
Daniel Davies, 27, who works in the Mander Centre, said: "I was just coming home when I saw it. It's crazy."
Penny Wallace, 54 and of Dudley, said: "Hopefully it's not that bad. The fire team got here so quickly. It's a bit worrying."