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A huge fire in a major UK city has broken out, leaving hundreds forced to evacuate their homes and businesses in the area. It broke out in Rea Street in the Deritend area of Birmingham. West
Midlands Fire Service was alerted to the incident shortly before 9am today (Tuesday, May 20). Plumes of black smoke can be seen across the city centre as the fire service rushed to the
scene to contain and put out the blaze. The fire is currently still raging, with locals warned to take extreme care. The fire service posted on X: “Several fire crews have responded to a
fire in a building in Rea Street, Digbeth, Birmingham. It was reported to us shortly before 9am. At this stage, no-one is believed to have been injured. Please avoid the area. Keep doors and
windows closed as a precaution if you're nearby.” It has been said that the fire broke out at a furniture factory. Neighbours Islamic Relief said that they saw the origin in the
furniture store and factory. Since then, police have released drone footage showing the origin of the fire. Footage from above shows the fire has ripped through the three story building
which is now missing its roof. It is understood that the whole building was evacuated, and no one has sustained injuries. In the video, a firefighter can be seen on a hydraulic platform
soaking the area below while a couple more at ground level continue to use hose reel jets through window frames. Smoke can still be seen coming from the building. The fire brigade said:
"Continue to keep doors and windows closed. Avoid the area while we and partner agencies work at the scene." West Midlands Fire Service said it now has three hydraulic platforms
and nine fire engines and more than 50 firefighters at the scene. In its latest update a spokesman for the brigade said: "Three hydraulic platforms are in operation at this incident,
manned by crews from Oldbury, Walsall and Highgate. "Nine fire engines are at the scene, crewed by firefighters from Hay Mills, Ward End, Billesley, Handsworth, Kings Norton, Smethwick,
Solihull, Ladywood and Aston." The number of fire service crews at the scene in Rea Street South was previously moved up to 16, West Midlands Fire Service confirmed, but required more
workers. Before, a spokesman for the brigade said: "As of 10.40am, nine fire engines, two hydraulic aerial platforms, two high volume pumps, a command support vehicle and two other
specialist vehicles are at the scene. At present, the fire is affecting two floors of a factory unit." The name of the specific factory has not been confirmed, but it is located on Rea
Street South. Nor has the origin of the fire, which should be revealed in a following investigation once the fire has been put out. _FOR THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND STORIES FROM ACROSS THE
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