Smoke was seen billowing into the air for miles around after a fire broke out at an Old Hill industrial estate

The fire broke out at a factory unit on Garratts Lane at around 8pm yesterday (Tuesday June 21).

A spokesperson for WMFS said the blaze involved a quantity of paint on fire at an industrial estate.

Halesowen News:

Pic: West Mids Fire 

Four fire engines were sent to the scene, carrying an estimated 20 firefighters.

Twitter user @HeyItsMaggie99 reported hearing a 'loud bang' before the fire began.

WMFS said West Midlands Police were in attendance and "all access routes had been stopped by the police".

They tweeted at 11pm last night: "We still have 2 appliances at the severe fire at Garratts Lane, Old Hill.

"Fire crews have been supported by specialist teams to assist with containing water run off to protect the environment.

"Investigations are on going into cause.

"Garratts Lane remains closed."

 


A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said today: “Our Fire Control room used mobile phone footage from callers to identify how many appliances to send, and the first of our crews arrived 3 minutes after being mobilised.

“Crews from Brierley Hill, Haden Cross and Smethwick attended a large fire in an industrial unit, with bulk containers, paint and paint thinner on fire, along with some gas cannisters which had exploded, and the fire had spread to a nearby field and neighbouring property.

“Using 5 main jets and 1 hose reel jet, crews were able to extinguish the fire, with our thermal imaging camera identifying no other hot spots.

"No one was harmed during the incident.

"We worked with our colleagues at West Midlands Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service and the Environment Agency during and following the incident to close the road to ensure public safety.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation.”