Progress continues to dampen blaze at factory unit in Wolverhampton as 'gas to building isolated'
Fire crews are continuing to dampen down a huge blaze that erupted in a factory unit in Wolverhampton this morning (Thursday 14 May).
Progress is continuing to be made to dampen down a blaze that ravaged a factory unit in Wolverhampton.
West Midlands Fire Service were called to the blaze on Walsall Street shortly before 4.35am on Thursday (14 May).
At the height of this incident, ten fire engines, two 4×4 brigade response vehicles and two hydraulic platforms were in attendance, crewed by firefighters from Wolverhampton, Fallings Park, Walsall, Willenhall, Bilston, Dudley, Tipton, Wednesbury, Oldbury, Bloxwich, Brierley Hill and Perry Barr.
The fire service said that the two-storey commercial factory unit has been “100 per cent” destroyed.
In an update just after 12pm the service said: “We have further scaled down our resources at this incident, with three fire engines and a hydraulic aerial remaining at the scene. This will be reduced further as we make continued progress.
“Gas to the building has been isolated.
“Road closures that remain in place are affecting York Street, Wharf Street and the commercial road on Walsall Street, which will be managed by highways.”
Delroy Constantine Simms, who was staying with family who live near to where the blaze erupted, told the Express & Star the fire sounded like “fire works” and everyone was “worried”.
Mr Simms said residents were fearful as a major industrial gas hub is located nearby.
He said: “Our biggest fear is that it could have been a major disaster. This is because the BOC facility is nearby, a place where flammable gas is produced.
“For this reason we were evacuated, the staff at the nearby Novotel Hotel Wolverhampton allowed us to use the facilities until we were given the all clear to return.”
The BOC Gas & Gear firm is located on Lower Walsall Street, near the fire-ravaged building.
It is a major industrial and medical gas hub and has been a critical site for over 100 years, providing gases and specialised equipment to local manufacturers and the wider UK market.
A cordon is still in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area.
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