Fire closes Wolverhampton waterway

A MASSIVE fire at a building supplies depot by the side of the canal at Wolverhampton today (Wednesday) has closed the waterway as well as stopping trains, closing the Ring Road and causing schools to be evacuated.

There were explosions as receptacles exploded with acrid smoke billowing hundreds of feet into the air, causing complete mayhem in the city, with the section of the West Coast Line that passes through the centre and the station being closed as dozens of fire appliances fought the blaze, with our contributor Orph Mable alerting us to the problem.

The roof of the large building collapsed as the whole area was on fire with 40 firefighters battling to not only stop the flames spreading to nearby premises, but to control potentially dangerous numerous gas cylinders from exploding.

40 firefighters

Carvers Building Supplies are situated by the side of the waterway of the Birmingham Main Line in the city centre, between Broad Street Bridge and Lock 1 at the top of the Wolverhampton 21. It is just a short distance from the railway station and the Ring Road, hence the fire's drastic effect.  The smoke from the blaze has caused the schools to be closed and pupils sent home.

The waterway through Wolverhampton is impassable, and it is feared that the debris and chemicals from the fire will find their way down Wolverhampton Locks into the Staffs & Worcester Canal, that will also be affected.