01/07/2013

Firefighters Tackle Blaze In West Midlands

More than 150 firefighters have been tackling a blaze at a plastic recycling factory in the West Midlands.

Around 50,000 tonnes of recycling material and a factory unit are on fire at the recycling plant, in Smethwick.

West Midlands Fire Service said more than 35 fire engines were sent to the scene. A number of firefighters have been taken to hospital with minor injuries sustained from the blaze.

The fire service added Dartmouth Road, Halfords Lane and Brasshouse Lane were closed to traffic and that the fire was likely to cause congestion in the area. It is understood there are no plans to evacuate residents from nearby homes as the blaze is in an industrial estate, but residents are advised to keep their windows closed.

Area commander Steve Vincent said emergency services were called to the fire around 11pm on Sunday night.

He said the fire service would be tackling the blaze for the next few days, adding it was the "largest fire that we've had in the West Midlands."

(JP/CD)

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