Major factory blaze leads to power cut at 380 homes

Several roads in the area have been closed by police

Dozens of firefighters are tackling a major blaze at a factory in Birmingham that has led to a power cut affecting nearly 400 homes.

Fifteen fire engines with about 75 crew members were sent to the single-storey industrial premises on Warwick Road, Sparkhill, at about 07:15 BST.

West Midlands Fire Service said the blaze was affecting about 40% of the factory and had spread to three separate businesses, although no casualties had been reported.

At 13:30, it confirmed the fire had also affected an electrical substation, which had been isolated remotely by the National Grid, leaving 380 homes without power.

People living nearby had been urged to avoid the area and close all windows and doors.

National Grid said it expected that power would be restored to all homes by 18:30.

About 75 firefighters are tackling the blaze in Sparkhill, Birmingham

Warwick Road has been closed in both directions between the junctions with the B4146 Tyseley Hill Road and B4146 Wharfadale Road, according to travel monitoring system Inrix.

A West Midlands Police spokesperson said officers were supporting the fire service with the road closures.