A major fire has engulfed a tower block in central Birmingham, prompting a large-scale emergency response from the fire service.
Emergency Response in Hockley
The incident occurred on Constitution Hill in the Hockley area on the morning of Friday, 16 January 2026. West Midlands Fire Service confirmed it dispatched a significant force to the scene, with eight fire engines and more than 30 firefighters in attendance to tackle the tall building fire.
Eyewitness Accounts and Public Warning
An eyewitness quickly alerted local media, describing a "massive fire" and urging people to avoid Constitution Hill. The fire service echoed this warning on social media platform X, stating: "We have 8 crews in attendance at Constitution Hill, Hockley, where they have responded to Tall Building Fire. Please avoid the area, where possible."
Ongoing Incident and Area Impact
The blaze, which took hold in the high-rise building, has caused significant disruption. Smoke was reported to be filling parts of the structure. The emergency services have cordoned off the vicinity while firefighting operations continue.
This serious incident follows a similar call-out in the city not long ago, where twenty firefighters were required to deal with a separate tower block blaze. The cause of the fire on Constitution Hill is not yet known, and updates are expected as the situation develops.
