Dozens of firefighters are battling a large fire that has broken out at the old City of Wolverhampton College campus on Paget Road, sending thick smoke into the sky that can be seen for miles around. The blaze has prompted West Midlands Fire Service to deploy six crews to the scene, and the public has been told to avoid the area.
The building, which has been vacant since staff and pupils moved out last October, is reportedly the site of the fire. West Midlands Police officers are also in attendance, according to reports.
Six crews on scene at Paget Road
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed the response in a statement, saying: "We have six crews attending Paget Road, Wolverhampton, where they have responded to a fire. Please avoid the area, where possible." The service has not yet provided details on the cause of the fire or any potential injuries.
The fire service's warning comes as smoke continues to billow from the site, visible from a significant distance. Local residents and commuters have been advised to steer clear of Paget Road to allow emergency services to work.
Police and emergency response
In addition to the fire service, West Midlands Police officers are said to be at the scene, assisting with crowd control and road closures if necessary. The exact scale of the damage is not yet known, and no official statement on casualties has been released.
The old college campus has been empty for about a year, raising questions about the building's condition and the potential for further incidents. The fire service has not indicated when the blaze is expected to be brought under control.
Live updates and public appeal
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available. The fire service is urging anyone nearby to avoid the area, and those with images or video of the incident are asked to send them to jasbir.authi@reachplc.com.
The fire at the vacant college campus is a significant incident for Wolverhampton, and the response from emergency services is ongoing. Further details are expected to emerge as firefighters continue their work at the scene.
