Commercial building fire on Windmill Lane, Smethwick

The incident has been confirmed to involve a fire in a 4-storey derelict building.

Currently, two main jets, one hose reel jet and a covering jet are in use, with a number of firefighters using breathing apparatus. A hydraulic aerial platform is also in use.

A fire service drone is being operated at the scene to provide an aerial view and support firefighting efforts.

There are no known casualties or injuries at this time.

West Midlands Police and West Midlands Ambulance service personnel are also at the scene supporting our crews.

As a precautionary measure, due to smoke in the area, the Windmill Shopping Park/Centre at the rear of the affected premises is being closed earlier than normal (from 3.15pm rather than 4pm). West Midlands Police are organising this in liaison with site management.

Windmill Lane is also fully closed to traffic at this time.

It’s expected this incident will be ongoing into the evening, and potentially overnight.

Crews are continuing to work diligently at this incident, where the fire broke through the roof of the premises.

We are working to ensure the safety of surrounding buildings and properties.

Ten fire crews, with two hydraulic aerial platforms, will remain at the scene. A high-volume pump is also in use, taking water from the nearby Cape Arm of the Birmingham Canal.

Due to the poor structural integrity of the building, a structural engineer has been requested to attend the scene.

Road closures and cordons remain in place and we are still asking people to avoid the area and close doors and windows in the vicinity.

Crews are making good progress at this incident.

Technical rescue crews have been brought in to remove steel cladding to aid in firefighting operations. Two hydraulic platforms, along with crews using working-at-height equipment, are in use at the scene too.

A structural engineer has been in attendance to assess the property. We are working with their advice to ensure the safety of our crews and surrounding properties.

Thanks to effective efforts from firefighters at the scene, buildings and retail units near the affected premises are no longer at risk from fire.

It’s expected the incident will continue overnight, with safety cordons around the building and surrounding area for the protection of the public. Please continue to avoid the area, where possible.

An update on the current road closures in place due to this incident:

• Cranford Street – closed in both directions
• London Street – closed in both directions
• Grove Lane (A457) – From the junction of Cape Hill to the junction of Soho Way – closed in both directions
• Windmill Lane remains closed, with no access on to it from the following roads:
  • Lime Grove
  • Trafalgar Road
  • Raglan Road
  • St Matthews Road
  • Poplar Street.

Crews continue to make good progress with this incident.

We expect to reduce our resources at the scene down to five fire crews, two hydraulic aerial platforms and supporting teams and officers, shortly.

We will continue to maintain a presence at the scene during the night.

Our crew, as expected, remain at the scene and are progressing with extinguishing the fire as safely as possible.

Our technical rescue crews have now left the scene following removal of the cladding.

Five crews, with two hydraulic aerial platforms, continue to tackle the fire and damp down the premises.

Access to residential properties has been restored, where possible, but previous road closures remain in place at this time.

Our crews remain on scene, working closely with the local council; police and other vital agencies to coordinate the re-opening of roads and shops.

While some have now been re-opened, intermittent temporary closures may be necessary to move equipment close to the site or for safety reasons.

Please ensure you follow any guidance or signage to keep yourselves and those working at the incident safe.

Disruption is likely to continue throughout the day as our crews control the scene and monitor for hotspots.

This incident has been brought to a safe conclusion. All roads and neighbouring premises have reopened.

Our crews will continue to visit the scene over the next few days to monitor for hotspots.

The fire, which has destroyed a derelict cinema, is believed to have been started deliberately.

Several small hotspots were identified and extinguished during a revisit to the incident on Sunday afternoon.

On Sunday evening, a thorough search of the building was conducted using thermal imaging cameras and gas monitors. No further hotspots were identified.

This incident is now closed.