More than 40 firefighters rushed to a blaze that broke out at a factory this morning, as they continue to deal with a ‘major toxic incident’.
Towering plumes of thick black smoke and explosions have been reported by residents close to the scene.
Images emerging from the area show a fierce blaze erupting around the building and engulfing the sky. The smoke has been reported as visible from around six miles away.
Residents have been advised to stay indoors, while drivers have been warned to avoid the area while emergency services continue to bring the fire under control.
St Luke’s Primary School, which is close to the scene of the blaze, confirmed it has sent all pupils home.
The public has also been warned to avoid St Luke’s Church as closures are in place on Upper Villiers Street in both directions, between Marston Road and Sunbeam Street.
It is understood witnesses first reported the flames shortly after 7.20am, but the fire is believed to have spread to nearby buildings.
Local Dave Bennett, near the fire, told BirminghamLive: ‘The area is full of smoke. It’s hard to breathe.’
Towering plumes of thick black smoke and explosions have been reported after a blaze broke out at a factory in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, this morning
More than 40 firefighters have rushed to the scene in Wolverhampton, where a ‘major toxic incident’ has been declared
West Midlands Fire Service issued an update just after 11am to state that it had ‘increased our resources’ with 17 fire engines, two 4×4 brigade response vehicles, two hydraulic aerial platforms and a drone team at the scene.
Former Labour councillor Paul Birch described the incident to BirminghamLive as ‘a major toxic incident’.
In a statement, West Midlands Fire Service said: ‘Shortly after 7.30am on Wednesday (14 January), we responded to Sunbeam Street, near the junction Upper Villiers Street in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton.
‘Firefighters from Bilston, Fallings Park, Tipton, Willenhall, Haden Cross, Wednesbury, Dudley and Walsall are at the scene.
The smoke has been reported as visible from around six miles away from the scene
‘The first crew arrived at the incident within three minutes of being mobilised.
‘This is a fire in a factory building. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are currently tackling the fire using hose reel jets.
‘This is a live incident. Please avoid the area whilst we work at the scene as there is significant disruption.
‘If you live or work in the area, please close your doors and windows.’
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