Kelvin Way, West Bromwich, UK
Shortly after 2.15pm on Friday 19 August, we started to receive several 999 calls reporting a fire in Kelvin Way, West Bromwich. Eight fire engines and some 50 firefighters responded, with the first of our crews arriving on scene five minutes after being mobilised. Resources were soon increased to 12 fire engines and 60 firefighters. At the time of this update (3.10pm on 19 Aug), people in the local area are being asked to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution. Smoke has the potential to affect the nearby M5 motorway. The fire involves large bales of cardboard, near to a number of industrial units. Local road closures are in place.
Updates for this incident
An estimated 300 tonnes of baled, compacted cardboard are involved in the fire. As of 4.15pm, our fire control team had taken more than 110 calls about the incident.
Less than three hours after this fire was first reported to us, it was surrounded and under control. Staff at the recycling company have been using their own machinery to help our crews, by creating fire breaks and moving material around the site. We’ve had a high volume water pumping unit at the scene, and water from a nearby canal has been used on the fire. We expect to have six fire engines, 30 firefighters and two aerial platforms at the scene well into the evening and possibly overnight. People who live or work nearby are still asked to keep doors and windows closed if their home or workplace is affected by the smoke.
Our crews have been on scene throughout the night. Currently 4 fire engines and 20 crew remain on scene, dampening down hot spots. Kelvin Way remains closed in both directions. Our investigation into the cause continues.
Our crews are continuing to make good progress on scene. As we scale down our operation, we will shortly be re-opening Kelvin Way, however our hoses will be laid across the road throughout the day. 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.
Throughout Saturday 20 August and overnight our crews have remained in attendance to dampen down hot spots. We currently have a fire engine and 4×4 brigade response vehicle on site with 10 crew to continue this work using thermal imaging cameras. This work will continue throughout the day. Kelvin Way was re-closed for a short while yesterday afternoon due to damage caused to a fire hydrant. Our hoses have been relocated to a private hydrant allowing the road to re-opened fully early yesterday evening.
Our crews are no longer in attendance at this incident. They will be revisiting the site at regular intervals to conduction visual inspections for hot spots.
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