Air quality alert as huge factory fire rages in Wolverhampton

More than 100 firefighters are tackling a huge factory fire and have warned residents and workers nearby to close windows and doors amid concerns over air quality.

The blaze broke out at a building near Sunbeam Street’s junction with Upper Villiers Street in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, shortly after 07:30 GMT on Wednesday with cylinders exploding inside.

West Midlands Fire Service said the fire was causing significant disruption and could be affecting air quality. People were urged to avoid the area with crews expected to remain overnight.

Up to 21 fire engines were at the scene by about 12:30 GMT, the fire service said. The fire is not out, but has been contained.

Ashes were falling from the plume on to cars and homes underneath with a strong smell of smoke in the area.

“We’d absolutely urge anyone in the local area to stay inside and keep you windows and doors closed,” chief fire officer Simon Tuhill told BBC News.

“We continue to monitor the smoke plume and the chemicals within it and take as much action as we can.

“Inherently, all smoke from fire has some toxicity so that’s why we’d urge you to stay inside and keep your windows and doors closed.”

The warning was repeated by the UK Health Security Agency in the West Midlands.

People living nearby told the BBC they believed the building was a space which different businesses used.

Tuhill said he believed the fire was in industrial units at the site, which included a “variety” of businesses.

No homes or businesses had been evacuated but an evacuation point on Bromley Street had been arranged should that need to happen, he said.

Crowds gathered on Moor Street South and on Lower Villiers Street, where the police cordon on to Upper Villiers Street starts in both places.

Officers were directing traffic on to other roads with Upper Villiers Street and other surrounding roads shut to pedestrians and cars.

The factory measures about 100m x 50m, the fire service said, describing the outbreak as “significant”.

“We’re expecting significant disruption in and around this site for the rest of today, this evening and overnight while we work at the scene, so please plan and adjust any journeys accordingly,” a spokesperson said.

Tuhill said he expected crews to remain for 24 hours and said they would be in touch with businesses about letting them have access.

“We are incredibly grateful to all the local residents and business owners who have been incredibly supportive of us being here, giving us the space to work,” he said.

“In the future we will be liaising with local business owners to make sure we can get them access both to the building and of course surrounding properties as well.”

Smoke from the fire could be seen across the city with a listener to BBC Radio WM stating he could smell and taste the smoke as he stood in the Mander Centre car park, almost a mile (1.6km) away from the fire.

“Smoke is drifting across Wolverhampton city centre which you can both smell and taste in the air,” said Steve, from Bushbury.

“A very large fire indeed as burning since 07:30 this morning.”

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesperson said it had been called to the fire just before 08:00 and its hazardous area response team was sent to the fire before being withdrawn.

There are no reports of any injuries, they added.