Factory fire by M6 believed to be accidental

More than 100 firefighters tackled the flames at their height

A major fire which broke out at a sports equipment factory in Birmingham is believed to have started accidentally, the fire service has said.

More than 100 firefighters were sent to Hastingwood Industrial Park, near the Fort Dunlop retail park and M6, at the height of the incident on Wednesday.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) said: "Our fire investigators believe that the fire started accidentally, and was electrical in nature."

The fire was near, but did not affect, the Esso Birmingham oil terminal.

Businesses owners near the site of the blaze told the BBC they were unable to operate as normal because of access difficulties, with some fearing stock damage.

Andy McCreadie, owner of Alento Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which operates in a unit below the one that caught fire, said he was anxious about the situation.

"We have no fire damage, but water is coming through the ceilings - we have about £30,000 worth of mats in there," he said.

The business has about 170 members who attend five sites across the West Midlands.