Birmingham fire live as thick smoke seen rising for miles across city skyline (2024)

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Firefighters still at scene

Firefighters remain at the scene of the fire tonight. An update from West Midlands Fire Service said: "The fire, containing waste materials, is now surrounded and good progress continues to be made.

"The smoke plume has been vastly reduced, but those living and working nearby are advised to keep their windows and doors closed if they’re affected by smoke.

"No further casualties have been reported."

Road closures remain in place.

Birmingham industrial building yard fire 'involves waste materials'

A man was rescued by firefighters after a blaze at a Birmingham industrial building yard 'involving waste materials'. West Midlands Fire Service were called to Lower Tower Street, Newtown, at 3.20pm on Sunday afternoon.

Surrounding roads were cordoned off as crews worked at the scene. The force said the blaze measures approximately 20m x 30m, between two commercial premises.

Residents living close to the area have been warned to keep their windows and doors closed after thick smoke filled the Birmingham skyline. 10 fire crews were originally sent to the scene, West Midlands Fire Service told BirminghamLive. The fire service has confirmed they 'expect to remain overnight'. Read more here

Fire Service: "Crews rescued a man in the yard"

West Midlands Fire Service said they rescued a man from the fire in Newtown.

Shortly before 3.20pm on Sunday (2 June), we responded to Lower Tower Street, Newtown, Birmingham. Seven fire engines and three 4×4 brigade response vehicles responded.

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A hydraulic aerial platform was also sent to the scene. This is a fire in an industrial building yard involving waste materials, measuring approximately 20m x 30m, between two commercial premises.

The fire is being tackled in multiple sectors and an aerial platform is also in operation. Crews rescued a man in the yard.

Firefighters have been supported by drone operations, which confirmed no other people were trapped due to the fire.

Lower Tower Street and Summer Lane have been closed as we work at the scene. West Midlands Ambulance Service, West Midlands Police and Cadent have all been in attendance.

Anyone living or working nearby who is affected by the smoke plume is advised to keep their windows and doors closed.

Roads near blaze remain closed

Summer Lane and Lower Tower Street, where the fire broke out, remain closed as of 7pm this evening. Motorists should avoid in the area if possible.

West Midlands Fire Service said crews were expecting to be at the scene overnight.

Fire is at a 'mixed-use industrial yard'

West Midlands Fire Service last updated their statement an hour ago and said the fire is in a 'mixed use industrial yard' and the force will have a presence in the area until Monday.

Firefighters crewing 10 fire engines and a hydraulic aerial platform continue to tackle this fire in a mixed use industrial yard. We expect to remain overnight. Lower Tower Street and Summer Lane are closed. Keep windows and doors closed if you’re affected by the smoke plume.

The scene as of 5.45pm

Fire crews remain in the area and will likely be there overnight.

Cordon to be in place 'for a few hours'

When asked how long the cordon will be in place, a police officer at the scene told BirminghamLive: "Until later this evening at least. Likely a few hours yet."

Dozens of people stand in street to watch firefighters working

Our reporter at the scene said: "The fire has definitely calmed down since I first arrived at the scene. Black smoke is no longer billowing into the sky and the grey smog has cleared. Regardless, dozens of people are standing in the street watching firefighters at work in Lower Tower Street. West Midlands Fire Service says it expects to remain at the scene overnight. Motorists should avoid the area if possible."

Fire crews 'expect to stay overnight'

A spokesperson for WMFS said: "Firefighters crewing 10 fire engines and a hydraulic aerial platform continue to tackle this fire in a mixed use industrial yard. We expect to remain overnight. Lower Tower Street and Summer Lane are closed. Keep windows and doors closed if you’re affected by the smoke plume.

'I've seen a few fires in Brum, not like this one though'

Shane, who was at a gym based in New Summer Street when the blaze broke out, said: "I rushed outside to see what was happening. I've seen a few fires in Brum, not like this one though. [Firefighters] were here within seconds after it started, it felt like."

Drone pictured at scene

A drone can be seen near the fire as emergency crews work to get the blaze under control.

'Explosions' heard near city centre

Residents living close to a fire have been warned to keep their windows and doors closed as thick smoke continued to fill the Birmingham skyline. 10 fire crews are currently battling the blaze on Lower Tower Street near the city centre.

Buses have been diverted away from the area after emergency personnel were first called to the scene at around 3pm this afternoon (Sunday, June 2). West Midlands Police confirmed that they are helping with traffic management at the scene.

Click here to read more.

'It spread really quickly'

One local, who asked not to be named, said: "I don’t know what happened but it spread really quickly. Smoke everywhere. I live around the corner and came to have a look."

Footage from the scene

The video below shows footage from the scene of the fire.

10 fire crews now at scene as locals told 'keep all windows and doors closed'

WMFS said: "10 crews are currently in attendance at an incident on Lower Tower Street in Aston. Advice is to please keep all windows and doors closed."

Bus diverted away from scene

National Express West Midlands shared an update on X letting customers know that the number 7 bus has been diverted due to the fire.

Diversion
Summer lane

Due to a fire incident
7

To City
Summer Lane, New John Street West, New Town Row, Lancaster circus, St chad Queensway

From City
Reverse of above

— NX West Midlands (@nxwestmidlands) June 2, 2024

Sources claim fire broke out in car park

Around a dozen firefighters have been spotted in a car park on Brearley Street which is adjacent to Lower Tower Street. Sources on the ground say the blaze broke out in a car park though this remains unverified.

Fire crews line street

Multiple fire crews have lined the street on Summer Lane.

Birmingham fire in pictures as smoke seen billowing across city skyline for miles

Emergency services have warned people to 'avoid the area' around Lower Tower Street as they deal with a blaze. Police have cordoned off the street at the junction of B4498 Summer Lane to B4114 New Town Row as firefighters work at the scene.

Pictures show heavy smoke filling the city's skyline.

Click here to view our picture gallery.

Image shows thick smoke

A picture from the scene shows a thick cloud of smoke.

First pictures from the scene

Heavy smoke has filled the street as fire crews work at the scene.

Reporter at scene

Our reporter at the scene says: "All emergency services are the scene. Lower Tower Street and part of Summer Lane have been sealed off by police and firefighters. Thick grey smoke has filled Lower Tower Street making it very difficult to see where the fire has broken out."

West Midlands Police statement

A spokesperson for the force said: "WMFS are leading on this. We are there supporting them with road closures at this stage."

West Midlands Fire Control confirm 7 crews at scene

West Midlands Fire Control told BirminghamLive: "We are in attendance and have crews there dealing with the incident now. We have seven crews there."

Street blocked in both directions

Traffic monitoring site Inrix says: "Lower Tower Street in both directions partially blocked, stationary traffic due to fire services activity from B4498 Summer Lane to B4114 New Town Row."

People urged 'avoid area' amid fire

People have been told to 'avoid the area' this afternoon as a large number of fire crews work at the scene in Lower Tower Street. West Midlands Fire Service confirmed it had seven crews battling the blaze, around 35 firefighters in total.

They warned:

We currently have a large number of firefighters dealing with a fire incident on Lower Tower Street in Newtown, Birmingham. Please avoid the area.

The scenes from Edgbaston Reservoir

People from across the city have spotted the thick grey cloud of smoke filling the skyline for miles around. One person out enjoying Edgbaston Reservoir filmed the scenes from across the water this afternoon.

@birmingham_live fire in Birmingham pic.twitter.com/4bE40jKHZi

— Tahir (@mtahir_17) June 2, 2024

Smoke seen across Birmingham

Good afternoon.

We are receiving reports of a fire in the Newtown area of the city, with smoke seen across Birmingham for several miles. It's understood a blaze has broken out on Lower Tower Street this afternoon, sometime around 3.30pm.

Residents living in the surrounding area have shared dramatic photos from their windows, Edgbaston Reservoir and the scene itself as firefighters work at the scene. Our reporter Harry Leach is en route and we will bring you updates as we get them.