Birmingham fire live as smoke billows for miles across city skyline and people told to ‘avoid the area’

Traffic monitoring website Inrix says: “Lower Tower Street both ways partially blocked, stationary traffic due to fire service activity from B4498 Summer Lane to B4114 New Town Row.”

People have been told to ‘avoid the area’ this afternoon as a large number of fire crews work at the scene in Lower Tower Street. West Midlands Fire Service confirmed they have seven crews battling the blaze, around 35 firefighters in total.

They warned:

We currently have a large number of firefighters dealing with a fire incident on Lower Tower Street in Newtown, Birmingham. Please avoid the area.

Hello.

We are receiving reports of a fire in the Newtown area of ​​the city, with smoke seen for miles around Birmingham. It is understood a fire broke out in Lower Tower Street this afternoon sometime around 3.30pm.

Residents living in the surrounding area shared dramatic photos from their windows, Edgbaston Reservoir and the scene itself as firefighters worked at the scene. Our reporter Harry Leach is on the way and we’ll bring you updates as we get them.