A dramatic fire at a storage unit in Walsall sent fireworks exploding into the night sky, prompting a major emergency response on Thursday evening.
Emergency Services Rush to Scene
Emergency services were called to the Manor Industrial Estate on Pleck Road at approximately 8.30pm on Thursday, December 4. The storage unit, which contained a significant quantity of fireworks, stock, and wooden pallets, was already well alight upon their arrival.
West Midlands Fire Service deployed a substantial force to combat the intense blaze. A total of 55 firefighters worked through the night, using water from a nearby canal and deploying a hydraulic aerial platform to gain access and douse the flames.
Residents Witness Spectacular Blaze
Local residents captured the alarming scene on social media, posting videos and pictures that showed large red flames engulfing the unit and fireworks detonating in the air. Authorities quickly urged the public to avoid the area for their own safety.
West Midlands Police attended the scene to assist with traffic management and public safety. As a precaution, Pleck Road was closed to all motorists, causing significant disruption.
Ongoing Operations and Road Closure
In a multi-agency effort, fire crews worked steadily through the night. A service update issued just before midnight confirmed that firefighters were making progress, using high-pressure jets to suppress remaining hotspots.
The number of fire engines on site was scaled down to five, plus the aerial platform, by around 12.30am. However, the incident was far from over. Pleck Road remained closed in both directions on the morning of Friday, December 5, according to travel monitoring site Inrix, as crews continued to manage the scene safely.
The fire service confirmed that partners were working together to ensure the safe, ongoing management of the incident, with a multi-agency briefing taking place overnight.
