Eight fire crews sent to large factory blaze

Firefighters have been dealing with a large blaze at a factory in Wolverhampton.

West Midlands Fire Service said eight crews were in attendance at the incident on Walsall Street, Horsley Fields.

People were asked to avoid the area, while those living or working nearby were also advised to keep windows and doors shut as a precaution.

Local resident Rachel Hamblett said she heard "popping sounds" at about 05:00 BST, adding: "Those popping sounds became louder, I was wondering what was going on, then loud bangs."

She said: "I looked out my window to realize there was a massive blaze outside close to people's homes."

Hamblett added that shortly afterwards, firefighters arrived and started to get the fire under control and people were evacuated from their homes.

There are road closures affecting York Street, Walsall Street, Shakespeare Street and Lower Walsall Street.

West Midlands Fire Service said a structural engineer was on-site to assess the building.

There were no injuries or casualties, they added.

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