Fire at Smurfit Kappa in Nechells Birmingham: resident speaks out & latest advice from fire fighters

Faizal who lives near the warehouse where 8,000 tons of paper and cardboard caught fire tells of his shock at the blaze which is still smoking
By Richard Gullick
Published 13th Jun 2022, 15:52 BST
Updated 13th Jun 2022, 15:53 BST
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Fire crews were called to the Smurfit Kappa plant on Mount Street, Nechell’s at 19:40 on Sunday. The incident saw around 8,000 tons of paper and cardboard bales involved in the blaze. 

Over 100 firefighters were tackling the blaze at the height of the incident, utilising more than 30 fire appliances, including two aerial hydraulic platforms, multiple fire engines, a high volume water pumping unit and a drone.

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Faizal, a resident of Nechells living near to the blaze, said: “We just seen the smoke basically fire all night. It was blazing over the night. I woke up and stayed awake until about two or three o’clock in the morning to check it out from a window.”

Faizal, a Nechells resident, speaks following the fire at the Smurfit Kappa plant Faizal, a Nechells resident, speaks following the fire at the Smurfit Kappa plant
Faizal, a Nechells resident, speaks following the fire at the Smurfit Kappa plant

Sam Burton, Area Commander of the West Midlands Fire Service, said: “So initially they were faced with quite a dynamic and rapidly progressing fire because cardboard is dry, and there was a slight wind as well which you know, increased the intensity of the fire.

”We have still got some smoke in the area. So the residents and businesses, that are really close, we just please advise them to keep their windows closed just to stop that smoke entering the building. They can follow the progress of the incident on social media and they’ll get updated information.”

Sam Burton, Area Commander of the West Midlands Fire Service speaks following the fire at the Smurfit Kappa plant in NechellsSam Burton, Area Commander of the West Midlands Fire Service speaks following the fire at the Smurfit Kappa plant in Nechells
Sam Burton, Area Commander of the West Midlands Fire Service speaks following the fire at the Smurfit Kappa plant in Nechells

The Fire service state they are working closely with the Police and Ambulance services, as well as the Environment Agency, Severn Trent Water and on-site staff to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

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As things stand there are no reports of any casualties or risk to the public, but West Midlands Fire Service have asked nearby residents to exercise caution and follow the advice of emergency services on the ground.

West Midlands Fire Service working to extinguish the blaze at the Smurfit Kappa plant in NechellsWest Midlands Fire Service working to extinguish the blaze at the Smurfit Kappa plant in Nechells
West Midlands Fire Service working to extinguish the blaze at the Smurfit Kappa plant in Nechells

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