Cannock fire: Huge blaze breaks out at industrial estate as businesses told to evacuate
No-one was in the building when the fire broke out on Thursday morning
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Businesses have been evacuated and residents are being urged to close their windows after a huge fire broke at an industrial estate in Staffordshire.
Footage shared on social media shows large plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky near the A460 Orbital Island in Cannock with 10 fire engines rushing to the scene at 6:15am.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the fire started at Super Smart Services – a distribution warehouse “which contains a variety of different materials for delivery”.
Have you been affected by this incident? Email holly.evans@independent.co.uk
Residents have been ordered to close their windows due to the smoke, with pictures on social media showing thick fumes are visible for nearly 20 miles.
Sam Winter, a 32-year-old scaffolder caught footage of the fire. He told the PA news agency: “I drove out of Cannock Chase to a plume of smoke, so I drove all the way following it to get a video as my mum works across the road from there.”
Another person wrote on social media that they had heard a “series of explosions” in the early hours of the morning.
The fire service said that no-one was in the building at the time of the blaze, though firefighters are still tackling the blaze.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “Fighters are asking all residents to close windows and doors due to smoke and all local businesses to evacuate.”
The Uk Health Security Agency in the West Midlands also echnoed this advice and urged people to remain indoors, with motorists encouraged to keep their windows closed and turn off their air conditioning.
West Midlands Railway confirmed that the fire was not affecting railway services and trains are still running through the area.
Meanwhile, the Cannock Orbital shopping centre is among the businesses reported to have shut as a result of the incident.
Rob Humphries, who lives in Abbots Bromley, noticed smoke while out walking his dog.
The 36-year-old, who took a picture of what he saw, said: “I was out on the morning dog walk and spotted a huge plume of smoke in the distance.
“It appeared to be coming from the other side of Cannock Chase, in the direction of Cannock.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments