Wednesbury factory fire: roads closed & residents react

Firefighters were called to a major fire at a factory in Wednesbury at 12.05pm today (Tuesday, October 17).

Smoke filled the air and residents were urged to keep their windows and doors shut - however West Midlands Fire Service has since reported that operations have been scaled back as the blaze has been brought under control and windows can be opened once again.

It is believed that the premises that caught alight was a fibre glass company called Exallot on Patent Drive. The fire comes days after a major fire at a scrap yard in Tipton which saw roads closed for two days and a school and businesses shut.

Wednesbury factory blaze - roads closed

Police attended and Patent Drive was closed along with Moorcroft Drive from the junction with Hallens Drive. West Midlands Ambulance Service also attended, but no casualties have been announced.

WMFS said that the building “suffered a full structural collapse” and that 48 firefighters and ten fire engines were in attendance.

Residents react to Wednesbury factory fire

Sandwell resident Darryl Magher tweeted: "Huge fire in Wednesbury not sure of exact site." Adam Foley, from Walsall, told the Express and Star that he went to the scene whilst driving past.

He said: "The fire is at a fibre glass factory, the whole building has already been destroyed and the fire has only been going for an hour and a half. All the workers at the factory were out the front and chatting to each other so it looks like everyone is safe." He added: "The police and fire are pushing back the safety cordon now so I have left."

A nearby witness called Matt told the Express and Star: "We were evacuated from the building opposite as it set our fire alarms off. We thought it was a drill but as we got down into reception it became clear from the smell that it was some sort of chemical fire.

"We could smell the chemicals. They do work with chemicals in that building. We quickly got evacuated. And all the staff from that building did too. The building has been decimated. All the staff, their cars are still there and I imagine it will be millions of pounds worth of damage done."

Another man working nearby, who wished to be remain unnamed, said: "The fire was huge before, big flames from the sides of the buildings. We were quickly evacuated and told to get our vehicles out of the car park. I believe they work with fibreglass there and you could smell it burning. We’ll now be off for the rest of the day as we’re not allowed back in or anywhere near."

Another witness, a driver from KTC, the business opposite, said: "I was driving back from a job and saw huge plumes of smoke. The building was covered. I just hope nobody got hurt and everyone got out safely. You could smell the burning of whatever materials they work with there. A weird smell."