Explosions heard and huge plumes of smoke fill the sky as fire breaks out in Birmingham with locals told to avoid area
RESIDENTS have been told to stay away after a horror blaze caused huge plumes of smoke and explosions were heard.
Locals in Birmingham spotted the dark grey cloud billowing into the skyline from around 3.30pm today.
Fire crews have urged the public to “avoid the area” with ten fire crews tackling the inferno.
It is believed the fire broke out in a car park near Lower Tower Street in the city, although this has not been confirmed.
Witnesses claimed a car was “engulfed in flames” in the Newtown area of the city.
The cause of the blaze is currently unknown, although some people on social media reported hearing “explosions.”
West Midlands Fire and Rescue told locals to make sure their windows and doors were shut.
Those nearby the scene of the fire in Hockley shared close-up photos of the incident on social media.
Another image showed a drone being set up as emergency crews work to get the blaze under control.
And people visiting Edgbaston Reservoir posted dramatic images on showing smoke on the horizon across the water.
Other pictures taken by locals show a car “engulfed in flames” in Lower Tower Street in the Newtown area of the city.
Shane, who was at a gym nearby when the blaze broke out, told BirminghamLive: “I rushed outside to see what was happening. I’ve seen a few fires in Brum, not like this one though.
“[Firefighters] were here within seconds after it started, it felt like.”
One local, who asked not to be named added: “I don’t know what happened but it spread really quickly.
“Smoke everywhere. I live around the corner and came to have a look.”
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire and Rescue said: “We currently have a large number of firefighters dealing with a fire incident on Lower Tower Street in Newtown, Birmingham.
“Please avoid the area.
“Ten crews are currently in attendance at the incident on Lower Tower Street in Aston.
“Advice is to please keep all windows and doors closed.”