Great Bridge factory fire evacuates 'several homes' as drone footage shows scale of blaze
A hundred firefighters were tackling the blaze at four factory units on Great Bridge Street in Great Bridge after the alarm was raised just after 10.40am today, Sunday, July 27.
Huge plumes of smoke were seen 15 miles away in south Birmingham.
READ MORE: Great Bridge fire 'involved 20 tonnes of tyres' as update from scene issued
READ MORE: Great Bridge factory fire live as 100 firefighters rush to huge blaze and thick smoke rises
Fire chiefs said this evening that "several homes" nearby were evacuated as a precaution.
West Midlands Fire Service said 20 tonnes of tyres were involved in the blaze, which spread across the four units.
Drone footage provided to BirminghamLive by Stacie Williams-Gordon, of Flight Photography, showed thick smoke billowing into the sky.
You can watch the drone video at the top of this story.
The scale of the response could be seen in the video too, with some of the 100 firefighters captured at work.
A fresh statement from West Midlands Fire Service said: "We've now confirmed a total of four factory units are involved in the fire.
"A high-volume pump, with water taken from a nearby canal, has been brought into operation. We also have three hydraulic aerial platforms at the scene, with various supporting vehicles, including our technical rescue teams.
"Due to structural concerns and a partial collapse in one area, a structural engineer has been requested to attend to support us, and we're working to keep our crews and local residents safe.
"There have been no injuries or casualties involved in this incident.
"West Midlands Police has co-ordinated the evacuation of several homes on Elwell Street as a precaution. We're working with the police, and the local council, to safely relocate those affected.
"A number of road closures are still in place, so we remind our communities to continue to avoid the area and keep doors and windows closed if you live nearby."
READ MORE: Dramatic Great Bridge factory fire pictures show smoke billow over West Midlands
Fire bosses confirmed in the last hour that "good progress" was being made to tackle the fire.
Gas and electricity engineers were also in attendance and isolating affected supplies, where possible.
They said the incident was expected to be "ongoing into the evening."
A witness told BirminghamLive she saw "massive flames" as she drove past.
Our reporter Kirsty Bosley sent in this update: "I'm 15 miles from Great Bridge but can see the fire from the Beacon Hill toposcope at the Lickey Hills.
"Black smoke is drifting all the way over in the direction of the Birmingham city skyline."
Another Birmingham resident added: "We live in Stockland Green area we are just over 11km as the crow flys and we can see and smell the fire."
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