Birmingham Handsworth fire: Warning to avoid Holyhead Road as crews attend blaze

Around 50 firefighters attended a blaze in Handsworth, Birmingham - urging people to avoid the area.

The fire broke out shortly after 3.15am this morning (Thursday, February 22) in a single storey commercial unit on Holyhead Road. West Midlands Fire Service said that there have been no casualties. They were supported by West Midlands Police.

Crews wore breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire and were supported by drone operations. The blaze was extinguished by 4.33am, but three fire engines have remained at the scene in order for crews to extinguish hotspots. 

WMFS announced that the incident had closed at 12.08pm today (Thursday, February 22). They explained that crews were liaising with Natioanl Grid and Severn Trent Water to make the scene safe and that firefighters would be leaing the scene later today.

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In their closing statement for this incident WMFS said: "Crews have made good progress at this incident with our resources at the scene being reduced down to a single fire engine. That crew has been identifying and damping down remaining hot spots with a hose reel jet.

"Crews are liaising with onsite owners and representatives from National Grid and Severn Trent Water who are assisting in making the scene safe. It’s expected our crews will leave the scene later today, potentially revisiting for inspections as necessary."

A spokesperson for WMFS previously said: “Shortly after 3.15am on Wednesday (22 February), we attended Holyhead Road in the Handsworth area of Birmingham. Nine fire engines and a hydraulic aerial platform responded, crewed by around 50 firefighters. The first appliance was at the scene within three minutes of being mobilised.

“This was a fire in a single storey commercial unit. Crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire working across three different sectors. Firefighters were supported by drone operations. The fire was confirmed to be out at 4.33am. Three fire engines remain at the scene as crews work to extinguish hotspots. There have been no casualties. West Midlands Police have also been in attendance.”