A massive fire with smoke seen as far as 20 miles away has erupted at an industrial estate, with the fire services ordering an urgent evacuation this morning.
Eyewitnesses claimed there were ‘explosions’ heard in the moments before the ‘very large scale blaze’ at the site in Cannock, Staffordshire – near Birmingham.
Footage posted on social media shows a ginormous plume of black smoke interspersed with flames rising high into the sky.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service told nearby residents to shut their windows and businesses were ordered to evacuate.
A spokesperson for the service told MailOnline they first received reports of the fire at 6.14am, with 10 fire trucks attending. No one was in the building at the time.
The large Cannock Orbital shopping centre has been evacuated, which contains a great number of shops including Sainsbury’s, Boots and PureGym.
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A massive fire with smoke seen for miles has broken out at an industrial estate
Eyewitnesses claimed there were ‘explosions’ heard in the moments before the ‘very large scale blaze’ at the site in Cannock, Staffordshire – near Birmingham
Footage posted on social media shows a plume of black smoke interspersed with flames
Flames tore through buildings in the Orbital area, with massive disruption caused to traffic
There is another retail park across the road, containing TkMaxx and Costa, which has also been told to evacute.
Flames tore through buildings in the Orbital area, with massive disruption caused to traffic in the town.
BirminghamLive reported the fire appeared to originate at the logistics firm Super Smart Service in the Kingswood Lakeside Employment Park.
Huge plumes of thick black smoke can be seen above the M6 and across the town in footage and photos posted on social media.
People from across the West Midlands from as far as Great Wyrley, Hednesford and Burntwood said they could see the wall of smoke from their homes.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service posted on X: ‘We have a very large scale incident close to the orbital islands in Cannock.
People from across the West Midlands from as far as Great Wyrley, Hednesford and Burntwood said they could see the wall of smoke from their homes
Huge plumes of thick black smoke can be seen above the M6 and across the town in footage
‘We have 10 fire engines in attendance supported by specialist equipment and officers. Some roads closures are in place.’
BirminghamLive reported that local roads are shut while firefighters battle the flames, with disruption in the area expected to worsen.
One commuter told the news site they could see the smoke ‘stretching back to Tamworth’, which is 18 miles away.
Posting on X, one eyewitness claimed there were several blasts heard before the fire broke out.
‘It’s the Smart Service warehouse just up the road from Sainsbury’s on Cannock Orbital. Series of explosions before the fire,’ they posted.
Worried social media users posted on X, with one saying: ‘Looks bad – hope no one is hurt’.
One local said: ‘Just checked through my doorbell and it had started just before my partner left for work. Hope everyone is doing okay. And everyone is safe.’
One commuter told the news site they could see the smoke ‘stretching back to Tamworth’
Fire and smoke can be seen above the town from miles away in photos posted on social media
‘Enormous fire, keep safe’ another said.
One eyewitness posted: ‘I can see the smoke in the sky, looks pretty bad. Hope everyone is OK and the firefighters are safe.’
A spokesperson from the West Midlands Ambulance service told MailOnline they were called to the Kingswood Lakeside Employment Park by the fire service at 6.36am.
‘Prior to our arrival, we were told our assistance was no longer needed,’ they said.
MailOnline has contacted Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service for further information.
Did YOU see the fire? Email [email protected]
