Fire in block of flats, Stafford Street, Walsall
45 firefighters tackle Stafford Street blaze in Walsall
Stafford Street, Walsall, UK
Shortly after 4.50am on Wednesday (25 September), we responded to Stafford Street, Walsall. Eight fire engines and a hydraulic aerial platform initially responded, crewed by around 45 firefighters. The fire, in a three-storey building used as flats, affected the second floor and roof space. Firefighters supported by drone operations were able to bring the blaze under control and are now extinguishing hotspots. Two people were led to safety and are believed to have been conveyed to Walsall Manor Hospital for further treatment. All other people were accounted for after searches were conducted on all properties. Stafford Street, Short Acre Street and Portland Street remain closed. Police colleagues and highways are in attendance, assisting with traffic management.
Updates for this incident
We have scaled down to four fire engines at this incident. A multi-agency briefing has taken place, involving representatives from West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Police, a surveyor, Emergency Planning and Walsall Council. Upcoming work includes confirming the fire is out, checking for further hotspots, and establishing the isolation of electric. Road closures remain in place.
National Grid engineers are digging the footpath on Stafford Street to isolate the affected building’s electrics from street level. Firefighters continue to damp down. Affected roads remain closed.
Stafford Street has re-opened but Portland Street remains closed. Three fire engines remain at the scene.
The fire appears to have started in a single-storey building, all of which was involved in the fire. It spread to neighbouring, three-storey premises (commercial, bedsits and storage). Around a third of this building was damaged by fire. As of 5.30pm, one fire crew remained at the scene. Revisits were expected to continue through the night, to ensure there were no remaining hotpots.
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