Firefighters rush to ‘main poisonous incident’ at Wolverhampton manufacturing unit as ‘explosions’ are heard and smoke is seen for miles

More than 40 firefighters rushed to a blaze that broke out at a factory this morning, as they continue to deal with a ‘major toxic incident’.

Towering plumes of thick black smoke and explosions have been reported by residents close to the scene.

Images show a fierce blaze erupting around the building and engulfing the sky. The smoke has been reported as visible from up to six miles away.

Residents have been advised to stay indoors, while drivers have been warned to avoid the area while emergency services continue to bring the fire under control. 

St Luke’s Primary School, which is close to the factory, sent all its pupils home over safety fears. 

The public has also been warned to avoid St Luke’s Church as closures are in place on Upper Villiers Street in both directions, between Marston Road and Sunbeam Street. 

It is understood witnesses first reported the flames shortly after 7.20am, but the fire is believed to have spread to nearby buildings. 

Local Dave Bennett, near the fire, told BirminghamLive: ‘The area is full of smoke. It’s hard to breathe.’ 

Towering plumes of thick black smoke and explosions have been reported after a blaze broke out at a factory in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, this morning

More than 40 firefighters have rushed to the scene in Wolverhampton, where a ‘major toxic incident’ has been declared

Firefighters have been surveying the area using drones, supported by 17 fire engines

West Midlands Fire Service issued an update just after 11am to state that it had ‘increased our resources’ with 17 fire engines, two 4×4 brigade response vehicles, two hydraulic aerial platforms and a drone team at the scene.

Former Labour councillor Paul Birch described the incident to BirminghamLive as ‘a major toxic incident’.

In a statement, West Midlands Fire Service said: ‘Shortly after 7.30am on Wednesday (14 January), we responded to Sunbeam Street, near the junction Upper Villiers Street in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton.

‘Firefighters from Bilston, Fallings Park, Tipton, Willenhall, Haden Cross, Wednesbury, Dudley and Walsall are at the scene. 

‘The first crew arrived at the incident within three minutes of being mobilised.

‘This is a fire in a factory building. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are currently tackling the fire using hose reel jets.

‘This is a live incident. Please avoid the area whilst we work at the scene as there is significant disruption. 

‘If you live or work in the area, please close your doors and windows.’

The smoke has been reported as visible from up to six miles away from the scene

Karl Geraghty, who lives nearby said: ‘There is thick black smoke and flames and I can hear explosions. It is clearly a major fire.’

Another onlooker said: ‘I was travelling into work this morning and saw the cloud from Codsall.

‘People have been telling me about the fire and how they’ve seen someone running out of their business with gas canisters and other bits.

‘It’s frightening because of how big it looks and how high the flames are.’

Catherine Pickett, of Penn, Wolverhampton, who was driving to work, said: ‘You can smell the fire in the air.

‘There are flames and thick smoke and I can just hear sirens coming from every direction.’

A worker from a company near the fire, who did not wish to be named, added: ‘I think we should be ok as the fire is going the other way, but we saw the orange glow from our windows.

‘I was driving in from the M6 Toll and saw the smoke from there, so you can tell how bad it is.

‘We hope it doesn’t cause any damage as it’s going to cost a lot to repair things’

Another local resident said: ‘I’ve just heard about the fire and seen the smoke as I live in the new build flats nearby and I saw a woman crying as she’d just put new stock in her shop and it’s all been ruined.

‘I don’t feel worried for myself as I think we’re safe, but it’s just really bad for the whole community as people are going to lose their businesses from this.’

This is breaking news, more follows.