At its peak some firefighters in breathing apparatus were called to a blaze at an industrial estate in Smethwick which left one man suffering burns and concerns over lithium batteries and propane gas at the site. The fire took hold at the site in King Street, less than a mile from West Bromwich Albion’s Hawthorns Ground, where the Baggies are playing Preston in the Championship on New Year’s Day (Wednesday, January 1) afternoon.
West Midlands Fire Service received the call around 1.45pm on Wednesday (January 1). Initially it sent four engines but since scaled up to six. The fire involved a single storey outside building – described as a storage unit, as well as a caravan.
In a post on X, West Midlands Fire Service shortly after 2pm said: “We currently have 4 Fire engines in attendance at a fire in Smethwick, near to Lewisham Road. Please avoid the area.” A man aged 40 was injured suffering burns and had to be taken to hospital. Particular concerns were raised about lithium batteries at the site and propane gas cylinders.
Firefighters were still tackling the blaze some four hours later but the incident was scaled back at 6pm.
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This is a live breaking story and BirminghamLive has contacted West Midlands Fire Service for the very latest. Updates will be posted below as they happen.