Charity shop evacuated as firefighters investigate smell on Stourbridge High Street
Buses were diverted and shoppers were evacuated from a charity shop as firefighters were called to Stourbridge today.
West Midlands Fire Service was called to "strong smell of smoke" from the British Heart Foundation shop in High Street at around 11.15am.
But a spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said crews believed the smell was caused by workmen working nearby with a blow torch.
People inside the shop had been evacuated by the time the two fire engines arrived and buses were temporarily diverted around the incident.
The spokesman added: "We were called to the British Heart Foundation premises in High Street, Stourbridge, at around 11.15am. We sent two fire engines, nine firefighters in total.
"The crews sent a message back that the incident was a strong smell of smoke in the ground and first floors of the three-storey terrace property, which is used as a shop and storage facility.
"The shop had been evacuated before crews arrived. The crews later said it appears to be smoke coming into the building from workmen using a blow torch near to the building.
"At 12pm they were still at the scene and there was still a strong smell of smoke. Crews are attempting to ventilate the property and find out the cause."
Crews had left by 12.30pm and were planning to return to check on the scene later in the afternoon.
