UK Plastics Factory Still Burning After 24 Hours

More than 100 firefighters tackled a huge fire at a plastics factory Monday afternoon in Birmingham, England, the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service Facebook page states.

As of 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, seven fire engines, two hydraulic aerial platforms, a high-volume water pumping unit and around 35 firefighters remain at the scene.

“Crews have continued to make good progress throughout the night,” the Facebook page states. “This morning they are still identifying and extinguishing hotspots

At 4:47 p.m. Monday, multiple calls to WMFR reported a severe fire at a factory on the Tyseley Industrial Estate. Twenty fire engines were at the scene, together with hydraulic aerial platforms and a specialist high-volume water pumping unit.

“This has been a significant incident, to which our crews have responded safely, effectively and assertively,” said Assistant Chief Fire Officer Sarah Warnes, the incident commander at the scene.

“In spite of extremely hot and arduous conditions, they have drawn on their skills and professionalism to ensure that the fire has been contained to the one site, saving nearby premises from harm,” Warnes said.

People who live or work nearby are asked to keep doors and windows closed for the duration of the incident, and the public are being urged to avoid the area while operations at the scene continue.  

A plan has been put in place for the safety of crews and to ensure that they get adequate rest and hydration.