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As it happenedended

Cannock fire: Firefighters warn over toxic contents at parcel warehouse as they battle huge blaze

No injuries were reported while firefighters tackled blaze

Holly Evans,Jane Dalton
Thursday 09 May 2024 18:42 BST
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Huge fire rages at Cannock industrial estate with smoke seen for miles

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A huge fire at an industrial estate in Staffordshire has caused businesses to be evacuated while residents have been urged to close their windows.

Huge plumes of black smoke are visible for nearly 20 miles as firefighters continue to tackle the blaze near the A460 Orbital Island in Cannock.

Emergency services were called at 6.15am after a fire started at Super Smart Services, a distribution warehouse that contains a variety of materials for delivery.

No injuries have been reported, and a spokesperson for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said no one was in the building at the time.

Dramatic footage shared on social media shows thick smoke billowing into the sky, with one local reporting hearing a series of “explosions” during the early hours.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the fire service said: “Fighters are asking all residents to close windows and doors due to smoke and all local businesses to evacuate.”

Please see below for what was our live coverage.

Welcome to our live coverage of this event

Welcome to our live coverage as firefighters continue to tackle a large fire in Staffordshire, with local businesses forced to evacuate.

We’ll be bringing you all the latest updates here.

Holly Evans9 May 2024 11:59

Full story: Huge blaze breaks out at industrial estate

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”.

Read the full article here:

Huge fire breaks out at industrial estate as businesses told to evacuate

No-one was in the building when the fire broke out on Thursday morning

Holly Evans9 May 2024 12:01

Statement from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service

In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “ We are at the scene of a large warehouse fire on Cley Road in Cannock.

“We’re advising the public to avoid the area. If you live nearby and feel you are affected, we recommend closing your windows and doors as a precaution. We will share updates as soon as we’re able to.”

They had previously said that 10 fire engines were in attendance as well as specialist equipment.

Holly Evans9 May 2024 12:06

Pictures from the scene

Smoke seen billowing into the sky from the warehouse
Smoke seen billowing into the sky from the warehouse (@SMitchellPoker/PA Wire)
Firefighters seen at the scene near Orbital Island
Firefighters seen at the scene near Orbital Island (Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service/PA Wire)
Holly Evans9 May 2024 12:12

Locals spotted ‘huge plume of smoke’ while out this morning

Sam Winter, a 32-year-old scaffolder, captured footage of the fire. He said: “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.”

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.”

Holly Evans9 May 2024 12:24

Local resident heard a series of ‘explosions’ in the morning

One person wrote on social media that they’d heard a series of “explosions” during the early hours of the morning.

Another told BirminghamLive that residents in neighbouring towns had woken up to ash “all over” thier cars”.

Residents have reported ash on their cars in neighbouring towns
Residents have reported ash on their cars in neighbouring towns (DavidGouge/X)
Holly Evans9 May 2024 12:34

Full police statement

Staffordshire Police shared an update on behalf of fire and police, which said: “We are at the scene of a large warehouse fire in Cannock. Crews got a call just before 6.15am this morning (Thursday 9 May) to an address on Cley Road.

“We’ve currently got lots of firefighters down there alongside other colleagues from West Midlands Fire Service and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to help bring the fire under control.”

Holly Evans9 May 2024 12:55

Shopping centre forced to close

Cannock Orbital shopping centre has been forced to close this morning as a result of the large blaze.

Located near the A460 Orbital Island, the centre has a number of shops including Boots, Homebase and Sainsbury’s.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service has asked local businesses to evacuate and residents have been told to close their windows.

Holly Evans9 May 2024 13:15

Latest drone pictures show extent of blaze

A view taken from a drone of the fire at Super Smart Services near the A460 Orbital Island
A view taken from a drone of the fire at Super Smart Services near the A460 Orbital Island (Phil Barnett/PA Wire)
(Phil Barnett/PA Wire)
Holly Evans9 May 2024 13:45

Drone footage shows extent of damage after fire breaks out in warehouse

Drone footage shows extent of damage after fire breaks out in warehouse-.mp4
Holly Evans9 May 2024 14:23

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