Thick black smoke from the Kelvin Way fire could be seen in Birmingham city centre
A huge fire broke out at a West Bromwich industrial estate. At the height of the blaze, there were 100 firefighters at the scene on Kelvin Way.
Black plumes of smoke were sent billowing into the air after 300 tonnes of cardboard went up in flames. West Midlands Fire Service said the smoke - which could even be seen in Birmingham city centre - had the potential to affect traffic on the M5.
Medics from West Midlands Ambulance Service were also called to assist, however no patients had needed treatment. Nearby residents were told to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution.
READ MORE:Huge plumes of thick smoke billow into sky next to M5 in West Bromwich
Kelvin Way was closed for 24 hours following the fire. It has now reopened.
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Due to hoses being laid across the road, motorists have been urged to only use the recently reopened Kelvin Way if "absolutely necessary".
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: "Please only use this road if absolutely necessary, using alterative routes where possible. Drivers are asked to drive at slow speed, using the ramps provided to protect themselves and our equipment.
"We are extremely grateful for the co-operation and support we have received from our partners and in particular the recycling plant owners. Their support with machinery, equipment and personnel has been extremely beneficial. They will shortly be taking delivery of a JCB excavator to allow hot spots to be reached and dealt with swiftly.
"Our investigation into the cause continues."
Kelvin Way has now reopened - 24 hours after the fire started.
Motorists have still been asked to find other routes if possible.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "We anticipate our hose will continue to be laid across the road for the remainder of today so are urging people to use other routes where possible."
A Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control spokesman said a message sent by crews at 7am revealed representatives from Envira were using machinery to turn over the bales.
Water was also still being fed into the site to dampen down hot spots.
They said firefighters were likely to remain at the scene throughout the day.
Kelvin Way remains closed in both directions following the fire at a nearby industrial estate.
The road is shut from Bromford Lane to Spon Lane.
Firefighters have continued to work at the scene of the fire overnight.
Four fire engines and more than 20 crew remain on site.
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: "We continue to dampen down hot spots."
The cause of the fire is still not clear and an investigation is under way.
Kelvin Way remains closed this evening following a huge fire earlier today.
West Midlands Fire Service has launched an investigation into the blaze.
We'll bring you further updates tomorrow.
A Black Country MP has called for 'more regulation' of recycling sites.
Warley MP John Spellar made the claim after the fire in West Bromwich.
He tweeted: "This is happening too often in Sandwell, and round the country, time for much more regulation and control of recycling sites."
Dramatic drone footage has captured the close proximity of a huge fire in West Bromwich to the bustling M5 nearby.
Sixty firefighters have been tackling the blaze in Kelvin Way this afternoon, August 19.
A councillor has recieved lots of calls about the fire.
Councillor Pam Randhawa, who represents Greets Green & Lyng ward, said: "West Midlands Fire Service are doing a fantastic job.
"I have received a lot of calls from concerned residents and businesses within the vicinity of the fire at a local recycling plant. I have tried to visit but has been very difficult due to traffic issues.
"The emergency services are working very hard to control the fire and stop it spreading further.
"The public need reassurance as their safety is the priority at the moment.
"The council's resilience team are supporting currently and advising doors and windows are kept closed. Also, there is still a lot of traffic congestion in the area, bus routes have been rerouted to avoid further disruption at rush hour. People have been advised to avoid the area until it is safe.
"I am supporting residents with useful contact numbers and advice for those who need it by mobile contact.
" Residents are concerned at the high level of fumes and toxins which have been discharged into the air. They are worried about their washing, children not allowed play in the back gardens or go for their usual evening walk. Local Cllrs are supporting disabled residents and the vulnerable through this unfortunate incident and continue to reassure those that have contacted.
"It is clear from this incident that the area needs to be redeveloped as the buildings are currently old and dilapidated and not fit for purpose. New buildings and units need be developed and regulated to ensure safety of all local residents, schools, businesses and the environment as the toxins and fumes will cause further risk in the atmosphere.
"I will be available all weekend to support our residents in the ward."
Firefighters have now got the blaze 'under control'.
Crews are expected to remain at the scene overnight.
Less than three hours after this huge fire was first reported to us, we now have it surrounded and under control. Several of our crews are likely to remain at the scene overnight. Please keep your doors and windows closed if your home or workplace is affected by the smoke.
This dramatic photo shows the scale of the blaze which West Midlands Fire Service crews faced today in West Bromwich.
This is the dramatic drone footage showing the scale of a fire which has engulfed a recycling plant in West Bromwich.
Flames swept through the site off Kelvin Way, near to Junction One of the M5, around 2.15pm on Friday (August 19).
West Midlands Fire Service says it now has '100 personnel' at the scene, along with 20 fire engines.
It has also taken drone footage of the blaze.
The smoke has now died down at the scene.
This is the latest photo from our reporter.
Our reporter on the scene Harry Leach has sent us in this report. He said: "“The black smoke has cleared from the sky now.
"All that’s left is a thick fog and the smell of fumes, similar to standing near a bonfire.
"Kelvin Road remains closed to traffic while the fire service carries out its investigation."
Julie Adams, who also lives on Kelvin Way, said: “I’ve never seen anything like it.
"My husband rang me on his way home from work and said he could see it.
“He works near Five Ways in Birmingham! Crazy how far it’s traveled.”
A resident has said that the fire 'scared the living daylights' out of him. David, who lives on Kelvin Way opposite the blaze, told our reporter Harry Leach: "It scared the living daylights out of me when I first saw the smoke from my bathroom.
"I’ll be honest, I stood up from the toilet and was just in pure shock.
"It felt like it was a lot closer to me than it actually was.
“Me and the kids ran outside to have a better look at it. It’s been going on for hours now.”
This is the ferocious fire which is raging through a recycling plant in West Bromwich.
Footage shows thick dense black plumes of smoke laced with orange flames filling the sky off Kelvin Way.
The smoke from the fire can be seen for miles around. See our gallery here:
60 firefighters are at the scene of the blaze, believed to have involved '300 tonnes of cardboard'.
West Midlands Fire Service said it has taken 120 calls about the fire so far.
It tweeted: "Our team in @SWMFireControl have so far taken 120 calls about the fire.
"At the same time, they're playing a key role in ensuring that we have appropriate resources at the scene while continuing to answer and manage 999 calls about other incidents."
The fire involves '300 tonnes of compacted cardboard'.
The fire service tweeted: "Current estimates are that the fire involves 300 tonnes of compacted, baled cardboard."
West Midlands Fire Service sent to 50 firefighters and eight fire engines to the scene, but increased the number of crews to 60 firefighters and 12 fire engines.
Workers have been evacuated from near the site, says our reporter on the scene.
Huge plumes of smoke can be seen from the M5. Read the story here.
This footage was sent to the BirminghamLive facebook page by reader Caroline King from the passenger seat of a car passing on the M5. The footager shows the smoke from Kelvin way and licks of flames.
Traffic on the M5 is slow this afternoon in both directions on the approach past this scene.
People are able to see the smoke from miles around. Readers say they can see the smoke from Dudley, Walsall, Kidderminster and Ombersley.
A reader has just shared this photo of the fire in Kelvin Way.
There are no reported casualties from the incident so far, said West Midlands Ambulance Service.
A spokesperson for the ambulance service said: "We were called at 2.35pm to reports of a fire on Kelvin Way, West Bromwich.
"We currently have a paramedic officer in attendance standing by to support the fire services. There are currently no reported patients."
Over on the BirminghamLive Facebook page, readers say they can see this massive plume of smoke from as far afield as Sheldon, Solihull and even Telford.