UPDATED: 'Severe' fire at building in Smethwick near new Midland Metropolitan Hospital site - with VIDEO and PICTURES
Firefighters are tackling a 'severe' blaze at a furniture storage building in Smethwick.
Fire crews have been battling the blaze in Cranford Street, near to the new Midland Metropolitan Hospital site, since 8.30pm last night.
Footage of the fire, courtesy of @snappersk
Seven crews including those from Ladywood, Aston, West Bromwich and Woodgate Valley fire stations were dispatched to the scene, but a number of these have now left.
A separate specialist crew using an aerial platform to reach the fire from above were also in attendance and remain in place this morning.
The incident has been scaled back since last night with crews keeping a 'watching brief' this morning, with the incident expected to be scaled back further later this afternoon.
Images posted to social media show flames bursting from the roof of the building.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said last night: "This is a severe fire at a building on the street which is escalating quite fast."
The fire service also advised people to avoid the area due to large amounts of smoke coming from the blaze.
People were asked to keep windows and doors closed if you live nearby.
Crews from West Midlands Ambulance Service's hazardous area response team were supporting firefighters last night.
A spokesman tweeted: "The smoke plume remains high however please keep doors and windows closed in the local area until the fire subsides."
