More than thirty firefighters were deployed to combat a serious fire that broke out in a disused Birmingham factory on Thursday afternoon.
Emergency Response to Barr Street Blaze
Six fire engines, a brigade response vehicle, and a hydraulic aerial platform were dispatched to Barr Street in the city's historic Jewellery Quarter. The initial call was received by West Midlands Fire Service shortly before 1:15pm on Thursday, December 18.
The incident involved a fire within a three-storey derelict office space. Crews from fire stations across the region, including Ladywood, Aston, Handsworth, Perry Barr, Ward End, Smethwick, and Oldbury, were quickly mobilised to the scene.
Containing the Incident
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to attack the flames, which measured approximately 20 metres by 10 metres. The fire was later confirmed to have been extinguished and contained to its room of origin on the first floor of the building.
A multi-agency briefing was held at the scene, with police and ambulance services in attendance. West Midlands Police assisted with necessary road closures and traffic management on the surrounding streets, including a section of Great Hampton Street.
Traffic Disruption and All-Clear
The fire service urged the public to avoid the area while operations continued, warning of significant traffic disruption. The hydraulic aerial platform was utilised during the response but was later released from the incident.
West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed it was alerted at 2:02pm and sent two paramedic officers along with its specialist Hazardous Area Response Team (HART). Fortunately, upon assessment, no patients were found and ambulance resources were stood down.
Work continued at the scene to ensure the fire was fully and safely extinguished.
