Disused Willenhall factory goes up in flames as residents woken by 'banging'

Residents in Willenhall were woken in the early hours of Tuesday morning when the blaze took hold at the empty factory on Moat Street, with around 50 firefighters called to the scene.

Photos and video shared on shared on social media showed fire tearing through the building with smoke pouring out.

One resident, Nicole Baker, said: "The banging from the fire woke me up, sounded like fireworks.

"I dialled 999 and was told fire was already in attendance, looked out of my front bedroom window and saw many fire engines and police.

"Went outside to ask if it was safe to stay within the house and all I saw was flames and black smoke plummeting from the buildings. Firemen are working tirelessly to try and out the fire out which is still ongoing."

Another local, Luce Daly, shared a photo showing how close the fire got to her home.

She told the Express & Star: "I was woken up at around 6am to what sounded like fireworks. When I looked out my window I saw the huge flames, (I) called 999.

"The flames were so out of control and it was extremely stressful having young children asleep in bed with all that so close."

West Midlands Fire Service said the call came in at 5.40am, with 10 crews, including two hydraulic platforms, still at the scene as of 7.30am

A spokesperson said residents were advised to keep windows closed if affected by smoke.

"Ten fire engines, a 4×4 brigade response vehicle and a hydraulic aerial platform initially responded, crewed by around 50 firefighters," they said.

"A two-storey derelict factory, measuring approximately 55m x 50m, had been entirely affected by fire.

"A cordon, measuring around 30m was erected due to the building’s partial collapse and remains in place. Five properties were evacuated as a precuation due to their proximity to the fire. Houses were unaffected by fire.

"Three main jets have been in use as firefighters continue to work at the scene. At present, 11 fire engines, a 4×4 brigade response vehicle, a high-volume water pumping unit and two hydraulic aerial platforms are at the scene.

"Firefighters have been supported by drone operations. Newhall Street at Cemetery Road is closed.

"There are no casualties or injuries.

"A multi-agency briefing has taken place with Police, National Grid, Cadent and Severn Trent colleagues."

National Express West Midlands has said buses on route 41 are unable to access the town centre due to the closure of Moat Street.

Buses have been diverted along Field Street, Pinson Road, New Road, Walsall Street, Albion Road, Lower Lichfield Street and Upper Lichfield Street, with the nearest stops on New Road and Lower Lichfield Street.

Evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes by 1.15pm.

The blaze comes just a week after another factory fire in the town.

Late on Monday, July 29, 60 firefighters were called to a mixed-use units in a large building on Owen Road, which gutted some firms based at the site.