Huge factory fire started accidentally - brigade

The blaze sent a huge plume of smoke into the sky

A fire which destroyed 90% of a factory near the centre of Birmingham started accidentally, the fire service said.

About 50 firefighters and nine fire engines were called to the blaze in a factory unit on Rea Street, Digbeth, on Tuesday.

Some crews were still at the scene until late on Wednesday evening, when it was confirmed the fire was completely out, a West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said.

"A physical search took place from accessible safe areas on all three floors," they said. "There was no sign of any smoke or hotspots on thermal imaging equipment."

The spokesperson added that they had made a full handover to the owner of the site.

There were no injuries from the fire and no other buildings were damaged.