100 firefighters tackle huge fire at Midlands distillery
Over 100 firefighters have been tackling a huge fire at the Alcohols Ltd distillery in Langley Green.
The fire broke out at around 10.00am on 27th November. Nearby homes have been evacuated due to thick smoke and the risk of explosions and one man has been taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham suffering from burns.
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that fire crews from across the West Midlands would remain at the scene overnight. The fire has destroyed most of the 3 storey building.
Sandwell Council confirmed that it was using Moat Farm Junior School as a refuge for the people who had been forced to evacuate their homes.
Eye witness, Kerry Hawkins, said: "I heard the explosions and saw thick black smoke in the air and the next thing we know we had police officers knocking on our door. We've been out since about half past nine this morning and don't know when we're going to be allowed back."
Chief Inspector Ian Marsh said: "People are starting to return from work and school and we need anyone trying to either head home, or pass through the affected area, to be aware that they need to make alternative plans."
A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said a man in his 20s had been treated at the scene for burns to his back and a hand before being taken to the specialist burns unit at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Another witness, Tony Kirkham, said: "We saw a Land Rover parked opposite the factory go up in flames, there was nothing we could do to stop it. You could also see the window frames melting in people's houses. It was scary."
The Environment Agency also attended the incident to check on the environmental impact of the fire.
Tags: Alcohols Ltd,Distillery Fire,explosions,fire,Langley Green,Queen Elizabeth Hospital,smoke,The Environment Agency,West Midlands Fire Service
100 tonnes of scrap metal burns in West Midlands fire
Written by terry on August 28, 2012 at 13:42
A fire which started on 20th August could continue to burn for several days.
Firefighters from across the West Midlands attended the fire at the ENR scrapyard in Nechells, Birmingham at around 7pm on 20th August. Over 100 tonnes of scrap metal went up in flames.
Jim Sinnett from West Midlands Fire Service said: "This is going to take some days maybe to be fully extinguished. But as long as we have got water in there and it doesn't spread and cause any further damage we will be quite satisfied with that."
An investigation into the cause of the fire will now be carried out.
Tags: ENR Scrapyard,fire,firefighters,Jim Sinnett,Nechells,West Midlands Fire Service