Factory unit almost destroyed as fire takes hold in Digbeth

Factory unit almost destroyed as fire takes hold in Digbeth

Alex McIntyre & Alice Cullinane reported from West Midlands that a significant portion of a factory unit located near a city center was destroyed in a fire. The West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) stated that the fire erupted in a three-story building on Rea Street in Digbeth, Birmingham, shortly before 09:00 BST on Tuesday. As a result of the fire, roads in the vicinity were shut down, including those leading to where the city’s Pride celebrations were scheduled to take place over the weekend. Authorities enlisted the help of the police to manage the traffic flow in the area.

A spokesperson from WMFS highlighted that the fire was particularly intense at its peak and generated a considerable amount of smoke. Nearby residents were advised to keep their doors and windows shut to minimize exposure. At one point during the incident, there were nine fire engines and a total of 50 firefighters on the scene. WMFS area commander Steve Ball commended the firefighters for their swift actions in containing the fire to the original building, despite facing challenging circumstances throughout the operation.

Although the majority of the fire was extinguished by the afternoon, fire crews remained on-site well into the evening to deal with lingering hotspots. Fortunately, no other structures were impacted by the blaze. Chris Shepherd, a witness from Stafford, described the scene he encountered around 09:00 BST, noting the arrival of the first fire engine and the sight of thick black smoke billowing from the building. He expressed admiration for the coordinated efforts of the firefighters as they worked together to combat the flames and prevent further escalation of the situation

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