Overheated hair straighteners to blame for fire in block of flats near Birmingham, emergency services confirm
The cause of a fire which damaged a flat in a high-rise block has been revealed to be a set of hair straighteners.
The fire broke out in a flat on the ninth floor of the 11-storey Hamstead House on Coniston Crescent in Hamstead, near Great Barr, on Monday, January 12, with six fire engines and two 4x4 brigade response vehicles attending the scene.
West Midlands Fire Service said the fire was extinguished by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus, while three neighbouring flats were checked for fire spread but were confirmed to be clear of damage.
The fire service also said there were no casualties or injuries and confirmed the cause of the fire.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "The cause of this fire was a set of hair straighteners as they'd been plugged into an extension cable."
West Midlands Police had also confirmed at the time that while officers carried out searches, a cannabis farm containing 16 plants was found inside an adjacent flat.
A spokesman for the force said: "We were called to assist West Midlands Fire Service after a fire at a block of flats in Coniston Crescent shortly before 6.30am today.
"While carrying out searches, a cannabis farm containing 16 plants was found inside an adjacent flat.
"Anyone who knows more about who might be responsible for the cannabis grow can call 101 quoting log 441 of January 12."
A spokesman for Sandwell Council said: "Cannabis farms pose a number of safety and health risks to people, and we will not tolerate them in council properties.
"The safety of our residents is our top priority.
"We are supporting the police and fire service with their investigation into this incident and will complete our own investigation.”
