Residents including children escape to safety as crews rush to battle blaze at two houses
Around 40 firefighters have been tackling a "severe" overnight fire involving two homes on a Perry Barr Street.
The blaze broke out at two housing properties on Cliveden Avenue, Perry Barr at around 3.52am on Thursday.
The severe fire is believed to have started in a semi-detached house and then spread to the roof space/loft conversion of the adjoining property.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service advises everyone to stay away from the area, saying: "Please avoid the area this morning."
Eleven people, including three children, managed to get themselves to safety, and one woman was checked over at the scene by paramedics.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service, said: "The first of seven fire crews arrived within two minutes of being mobilised. An aerial platform was also sent to the scene.
"The fire was extinguished using hose reels and two main jets, and the operation involved around a dozen firefighters in breathing apparatus entering the property. Our investigators are working to establish how it started."
The incident has since been marked as closed, but the street remains cordoned off.
