Apocalyptic scenes unfolded as thick smoke blanketed a UK town following a factory fire, described by a local ex-council member as a significant toxic event. The blaze sent dark plumes of smoke billowing over Wolverhampton after erupting at a factory building, prompting residents in the Blakenhall area to stay indoors while people miles away witnessed the fire clouding the skies. Residents in Shifnal, located 13 miles from the site, reported visibility of the smoke, with some struggling to breathe due to the thick fumes.
The West Midlands Fire Service mobilized a massive response, dispatching 21 fire engines, two 4×4 brigade response vehicles, three hydraulic aerial platforms, and a drone team to combat the flames. Former Labour councillor Paul Birch raised alarm over the incident, labeling it a major toxic event, leading to the establishment of an evacuation zone near Bromley Street. The fire service urged the public to remain indoors for safety.
The fire broke out on Sunbeam Street near Upper Villiers Street in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, early on Wednesday morning, prompting a swift response from firefighting crews from various areas. Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus are currently engaged in battling the blaze using hose reel jets. The ongoing incident has caused significant disruption, prompting authorities to advise area residents and workers to keep doors and windows closed.
The fire in the industrial complex continues to rage, with a massive firefighting presence in Wolverhampton working tirelessly to contain the flames as the day progresses.