Roads reopen after huge fire sends thick smoke over Birmingham

Roads have reopened around Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter after a large fire sent plumes of thick smoke into the sky.

A number of roads around Great Hampton Row were closed on Friday (September 4) as firefighters tackled the blaze near the city centre.

West Midlands Roads has now confirmed that all roads in the area have reopened following the incident.

A number of crews from West Midlands Fire Service were called to Great Hampton Street, with the public urged to avoid the area while firefighters dealt with the blaze.

Great Hampton Street was closed during the incident, along with Barr Street and Constitution Hill between Northwood Street and Halford Street.

Great Hampton Row, off Constitution Hill, was also shut, while Great Hampton Street was later reported closed between Hall Street and Howard Street.

Pictures and footage from the scene showed a substantial plume of dark smoke rising above buildings and visible from across parts of Birmingham.

West Midlands Fire Service also warned members of the public not to fly drones near the scene while the incident was ongoing.

A fire service drone was being used as part of the emergency response, with the service warning that other drones in the area could hamper efforts to bring the blaze under control.