Smethwick fire: Good progress being made at Rolfe Street blaze in tyre and car repair unit

Fire ripped through a tyre and car repair unit in Smethwick last evening. The service bay was destroyed and there was heavy smoke logging at the unit in Rolfe Street.

At 1.45pm on 28 September, the West Midlands Fire Service were called to the incident. It involved a severe fire in a workshop and tyre fitter’s premises. At the height of the blaze, 16 firefighters attended to it. The incident is now closed.

“Crews worked into the evening to extinguish the fire. A number of hazards were dealt with, including propane cylinders and drug paraphernalia. We worked with West Midlands Police colleagues throughout the incident.

“Crews spent time digging out and turning over fire debris whilst monitoring for any hotspots or signs of fire spread. A revisit took place 9am this morning (29 September),” the West Midlands Fire Service said.

Six breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet and two main jets were in use across the site. Initially, Rolfe Street was closed in both directions to allow safe working for the firefighters. Buses were diverted as well.

Around 4pm on Wednesday 28 September, traffic was re-opened at Rolfe Street, Smethwick once firefighters started making good progress in damping down the fire.

The fire service said that Rolfe Street being re-opened allowed businesses in the area to continue trading.

West Midlands Police assisted the West Midlands Fire Service crews with maintaining a cordon around the site.

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