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A massive fire erupted early Wednesday morning at a factory near the intersection of Sunbeam Street and Upper Villiers Street in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton. Shortly after 7:30 a.m. GMT, the blaze began, with cylinders inside the building exploding due to the intense heat. In response, over 100 firefighters were deployed to the scene, supported by up to 21 fire engines by midday. While the fire remains active, crews have managed to contain it, although significant disruption continues in the area.
Residents and workers near the site have been strongly advised to keep their windows and doors closed to avoid inhaling potentially harmful smoke. Ash was falling onto vehicles and homes beneath the smoke plume, accompanied by a noticeable odor of smoke in the neighborhood. Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill emphasized, “We’d absolutely urge anyone in the local area to stay inside and keep you windows and doors closed.” The UK Health Security Agency in the West Midlands has echoed these warnings, highlighting concerns about the toxicity of the smoke.
The affected building, including several industrial units housing a variety of businesses, measures approximately 100 meters by 50 meters. Although no evacuations have been initiated, an evacuation point has been set up on Bromley Street in case authorities decide it is necessary. Police have cordoned off Upper Villiers Street and surrounding roads, redirecting traffic and limiting pedestrian access. Large crowds have gathered near the police cordon on Moor Street South and Lower Villiers Street, where emergency services continue their operations.
Fire crews are expected to remain on site for at least 24 hours, continuing to monitor the fire and its impact on air quality. Chief Fire Officer Tuhill expressed gratitude to local residents and business owners for their cooperation, stating plans to work closely with them moving forward regarding access to buildings and surrounding properties. Smoke from the fire has been visible across Wolverhampton, with one witness describing the smell and taste of smoke nearly a mile away at the Mander Centre car park. Fortunately, West Midlands Ambulance Service reported no injuries so far, although their hazardous area response team was initially deployed before withdrawal. The fire’s large smoke plume was even seen from as far as 15 miles away, highlighting the scale of the incident across the West Midlands
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