Huge fire breaks out at a car workshop in Digbeth, Birmingham - motorists urged to avoid the area

A fire on Adderley Street, Deritend in Digbeth, Birmingham is ongoing after starting at a scrapyard just before 02:30 AM on Friday (January 6). Fire fighters have asked residents to keep their windows and doors closed and for motorists to avoid the area.

Adderley Street is a built-up area where the Crane nightclub - where non-league footballer Cody Fisher had been stabbed to death on Boxing Day - is located. It is also home to many other businesses like the Dead Wax Digbeth bar as well a car dealer and repair shop.

The fire was attended by more than 50 firefighters with 10 West Midlands Fire Service appliances in attendance. Crews used water from their main jets and aerial platofrms along with imagery from one of thier droes to support decision making on the ground. An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing

West Midlands Fire Service said: “Fifty firefighters have spent the night tackling a significant fire in the Deritend area of Birmingham, close to the city centre.

“The fire was contained to the single-storey building in which it started. The efforts of our crews meant that three neighbouring businesses were saved.

“We were called to Adderley Street just after 2.30am on Friday (6 January). Ten fire engines from a number of city fire stations responded, plus a hydraulic aerial platform.

“The first of our crews arrived within three minutes of being mobilised. They were met with a severe fire involving a car workshop and a number of vehicles.

“The fire was brought under control by crews using water from a number of main jets and the aerial platform. Imagery from one of our drones was used to support operational decision making on the ground.

“We worked closely with staff and drivers from WM Travel, to ensure that several buses could safely leave a nearby depot and begin their morning services.

“As of 8am, four fire engines and an aerial platform remained at the scene and Adderley Street remained closed. This is expected to be the case until lunchtime. The cause of the fire has yet to be established.”

Earlier, the fire service attended to a blaze is West Bromwich which is also ongoing.