Express & Star

Huge fire at Smethwick recycling facility involved 30 tonnes of metal

A fire at a Smethwick recycling facility involved an estimated 30 tonnes of metal, it has been revealed.

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Fire crews were alerted to the blaze on Rabone Lane just after 10.05am on Sunday (April 13).

Residents and businesses were warned to close their doors and windows as a result of smoke.

The fire involved approximately 30 tonnes of waste metal within a bay at the site, West Midlands Fire Service said.

Scenes from a fire off Rabone Lane, Smethwick.
Drone pictures taken on Sunday of the fire scene

At its peak, eight fire engines, a hydraulic aerial platform used to tackle the blaze from a height and specialist resources including a high-volume water pumping unit were used to tackle the blaze.

Machinery at the recycling facility was used to expose and turn over materials to be damped down, while water was collected from a nearby canal.

A drone team at the fire service helped provide live imagery to firefighters at the scene.

Scenes from the fire off Rabone Lane, Smethwick.
Fire crews at Rabone Lane, Smethwick, on Sunday

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman added: "Rabone Lane and the nearby canal towpath were closed as a precaution.

"We worked with several partner agencies to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

Scenes from the fire off Rabone Lane, Smethwick.
Fire crews working at the scene of the blaze on Sunday

"A full handover of the site back to management and staff had happened by 5.30pm."