Smurfit Kappa fire in Nechells - firefighters still at the scene on Tuesday

More than 8,000 tons of paper and cardboard were set alight in a major fire on Sunday evening - with over 100 firefighters battling through the night to contain the flames.

Residents were urged to keep their windows and doors shut to keep the smoke from the fire at the Smurfit Kappa recycling plant from entering their homes.

West Midlands firefighters remained at the scene at Mount Street today (Wednesday, June `14) in order to dampen down the scene further.

Some 8,000 litres of water from a nearby canal was used per minute to stop the flames at their peak. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.

A spokesperson for WMFS told BirminghamWorld today: “Our work at the scene has continued overnight. We still have 30 firefighters there, plus five fire engines, an aerial platform and our high volume water pumping unit. On-site staff continue to support our operations, using forklifts and diggers to help move and break up bales.

“Our many operational considerations have included monitoring wind speed and direction, and doing everything possible to avoid water from the scene entering a nearby river.”

A spokesperson for Smurfit Kappa said: “At approximately 19.40 BST yesterday evening a fire broke out in an adjacent premises to the Smurfit Kappa SSK Paper Mill in Birmingham. High winds carried the fire which reached the mill’s recovered fibre yard.

“Smurfit Kappa would like to thank both West Midlands Fire Service staff and the SSK team for their swift and professional response in controlling the fire within a few hours and ensuring the safety of all.

“The paper mill itself is unaffected and we do not expect any material impact on production.”

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