Wolverhampton fire: Huge inferno sends smoke billowing over city as 'toxic incident' declared

Huge plumes of black smoke were pictured coming from the fire
|FACEBOOK/REVOLVER MUSIC LIMITED

The blaze was described by the fire service as 'significant'
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A huge fire has ripped through a Wolverhampton factory sending smoke billowing across the city.
Fire crews rushed to Sunbeam Street, near Upper Villiers Street, in the Blakenhall area of the city, just after 7.30am.
Large plumes of black smoke was pictured billowing from the scene of the fire.
A designated evacuation point has been set up nearby, with residents urged to shut their doors and windows due to the smoke.
A West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) spokesman said in a statement just after 12pm: "We currently have 21 fire engines, two 4×4 brigade response vehicles and three hydraulic aerial platforms in attendance.
"Three crews from Staffordshire (Wombourne, Penkridge and Cannock) are supporting WMFS crews.
"This is a fire in a factory building, measuring approximately 100m x 50m. Crews continue to work across the incident ground to extinguish the fire.
"Three hydraulic aerial platforms are allowing crews to target hotspots.
"An evacuation point has been allocated on Bromley Street. Police colleagues are in attendance, supporting with traffic management."
The fire service described the blaze as "significant" and said there is likely to be disruption in the area overnight as crews continue to work at the scene.
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West Midlands Fire Service described the blaze as 'significant'
|WEST MIDLANDS FIRE SERVICE
West Midlands Ambulance Service said its Hazardous Area Response Team (Hart), made up of specialist paramedics, had been sent to the scene.
An ambulance service spokeswoman said: "We were called to reports of a fire at an address at the junction of Upper Villiers Street and Sunbeam Street in Wolverhampton at 7.59am.
"We have our Hart at the scene."
The blaze has forced nearby roads to close, including Upper Villiers Street in both directions between Marston Road and Sunbeam Street.
People have also been urged to avoid the area around St Luke's Church, which is located on the corner of Upper Villiers Street.
Residents have spoken of hearing "explosions" coming from the scene of the fire.
Local businessman and former Labour councillor Paul Birch said he had "never witnessed anything quite so bad".
Mr Birch, managing director at record label Revolver Records, told GB News: "It's in an area of mixed light industrial and housing.
"Our local Councillor Sally Green was on the scene early on and called on the emergency response.
"Residents are advised to stay in doors and close their windows as a major toxic incident is emerging."
One woman said she had lost power in their home as a result of the fire.
"We have no internet and some of the lights have failed now too," the resident wrote to Facebook.










