Firefighters remain at the Saltley recycling site fire

Firefighters have been working overnight to tackle a blaze at a recycling plant in Birmingham that began on Tuesday afternoon.

Up to 800 tonnes of metal and plastic were in flames at EMR in Saltley with smoke visible across the city.

Around 50 firefighters remain at the scene and will be there for most of the day, West Midlands Fire Service said.

It is thought the blaze started accidentally and there are no reports of any injuries.

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Power supplies to 4,000 homes were cut off at 19:45 BST on Tuesday because the site of the fire is underneath pylons.

Emergency services were alerted at about 14:00 BST and more than 100 firefighters were sent to the scene. Residents were advised told to keep doors and windows shut.

National Grid staff was also at the scene because of concerns about a gas main next to a nearby canal.

The plume from the fire was still visible but was lighter in colour which indicates steam from the water, the fire service said.

Landor Street, which runs alongside the recycling plant, remains closed.

The fire was still not out as night fell on Tuesday

A spokesman for Western Power Distribution, which supplies power in the area, told BBC News initial fears that 40,000 homes could be affected were allayed after it temporarily re-routed power around the network.

Properties in the Nechells and Saltley area were affected, but by 20:50 BST, only five properties were left without power, the spokesman said.

The fire service said crews were working in dangerous conditions

Seventeen fire engines were needed at the scene in Clarel Avenue at the fire's peak.

More than 100 firefighters had tackled the blaze

Crews were alerted at about 14:00 BST on Tuesday