A major fire has torn through a historic building in the heart of Birmingham, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing across the city skyline and triggering a massive emergency response.
Dramatic footage captured the intense blaze raging at a site on Colmore Row, a prominent thoroughfare in the city's central business district, shortly after 3:30 PM on Tuesday. The West Midlands Fire Service swiftly declared it a major incident, committing a significant force to combat the flames.
Heroic Firefighting Efforts
At the height of the emergency, more than 70 firefighters were on the scene, utilising at least ten fire engines and a high-tech hydraulic platform to douse the building from above. Crews worked tirelessly to prevent the fire from spreading to adjacent properties in the densely built area.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service confirmed the scale of the operation, stating: "We have over 70 firefighters currently dealing with a fire on Colmore Row in Birmingham city centre. We were called at 3.38pm. Firefighters are working hard to bring the fire under control."
City Centre Chaos and Safety Warnings
The inferno caused significant disruption throughout the city centre. Police cordoned off a large area surrounding the site, urging the public to avoid Colmore Row, Victoria Square, and neighbouring streets. The heavy smoke prompted authorities to advise local residents and workers to keep their windows firmly closed to avoid the toxic fumes.
West Midlands Police issued a statement advising: "Please avoid the area of Colmore Row in Birmingham city centre due to an ongoing fire. A number of roads are closed."
Building History and Ongoing Response
The building, understood to be of significant age and architectural value, was reportedly undergoing renovation work at the time the fire broke out. The cause of the blaze is not yet known and will be subject to a thorough investigation once the fire is fully extinguished.
Miraculously, there have been no reports of any casualties. Emergency services remain on the scene, damping down hot spots and assessing the structural integrity of the ravaged building.
