A fire has broken out at a busy West Midlands retail park.
West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said they had 80 firefighters in attendance at Hastingwood Industrial Park on Wood Lane in Erdington, near the Fort Dunlop retail park and M6.
Fire crews have advised nearby residents to avoid the area and close doors and windows if affected by the smoke.
An emergency evacuation point has been set up on Wood Lane and a cordon has been erected by West Midlands Police.
The fire at the West Midlands retail park
WMFRS
The fire could be seen from the M6
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A spokesperson from West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service said: “The fire is contained in a two-storey steel frame sports equipment factory. The entire roof and first floor have been affected by fire. Site personnel have confirmed a full roll call has been completed and everyone has been accounted for,
“Firefighters in breathing apparatus are working across multiple sectors to prevent fire spread. The hydraulic aerial platform is in use.
“An emergency evacuation point has been set up on Wood Lane and a cordon has been erected by police colleagues.”
The fire is near, but not affecting, the Esso Birmingham Terminal. The terminal was built in 1962 and has 17 above-ground main storage tanks with a combined capacity of 50,000 cubic metres, reports BBC News
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Fire could be seen from the retail park’s car park
WMFRS
Staff from Poundland near the site told BirminghamLive they were asked to leave their shop around 3.45pm. They added that while the fire seems to be dying down, smoke can still be seen rising from the scene.
More to come…
