Birmingham businesses face challenges after nearby factory fire

Businesses owners near the site of a major factory fire in Birmingham say they are unable to operate as normal because of access difficulties, with some fearing stock damage.

Following Wednesday’s blaze, five fire engines and about 25 firefighters remain at Hastingwood Industrial Park, near the Fort Dunlop retail park in the Erdington area of the city.

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said crews were working with business owners to remove personal belongings and salvageable assets.

Andy McCreadie, owner of Alento Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which operates in a unit below the one that caught fire, has said he is anxious about the situation.

“We have no fire damage, but water is coming through the ceilings – we have about £30,000 worth of mats in there,” he told the BBC.

The business has about 170 members who attend five sites across the West Midlands.

Mr McCreadie said he hoped to be able to bring out some mats so members could train at the other sites.

“I could always go back to doing online classes, like I did during Covid. Hopefully we’ll get back in as soon as possible,” he said.

Also nearby is Genna’s Kitchen, a Caribbean-inspired venture offering collection services.

“I am unable to collect drinks to carry out deliveries,” said director, Kyheè Douglas.

“My electric is currently off, so there will be refrigerated and frozen stock that will need to be thrown away.

“On top of that, I have staff to pay their contracted hours for the week, but with the loss of days, I will have to pay them for time I have not had from them.”

The site that caught fire produces sports equipment.

Roads near the scene were reopened on Thursday morning.

WMFS said crews would continue damping down hotspots throughout the day.

A structural engineer has visited the site to assess the building.