Explosions heard as 50 firefighters tackle blaze

No-one has been reported as injured, the fire service said

A fire has broken out at an industrial yard in Birmingham, causing multiple explosions and sending plumes of black smoke into the sky.

West Midlands Fire Service said 50 firefighters were sent to the blaze on Lower Tower Street in Aston after the fire broke out at about 15:20 BST on Sunday.

Multiple cylinders were exploding at the site, according to the fire service, and witnesses reported seeing a truck “engulfed in flames”.

No injuries have been reported, and residents have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed.

People on social media said smoke was seen "filling the skies" in Birmingham with the plumes visible from miles around.

Smoke from the fire could be seen from across the city

In an update on X, formerly Twitter, West Midlands Fire Service said there were 10 crewed fire engines and a hydraulic aerial platform at the scene.

Lower Tower Street and Summer Lane have been closed, and firefighters would likely remain at the scene overnight, the post said.

The fire service told the BBC that the cause of the incident was not currently known and a fire investigator had been sent to the site.

Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle "engulfed in flames"