Police say blast occurred at around 2.45am at Timet UK metal smelting plant in Witton area of city

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

An inquiry has been launched after a man was killed in an explosion at a metal factory in Birmingham.

Police said the incident happened at around 2.45am at the Timet UK metal smelting plant in Holford Road, Witton. The West Midlands fire service confirmed the death and the victim’s relatives have been informed.

West Midlands Fire Service operations commander Steve Harris confirmed that the victim was a 39-year-old man and his family had been informed.



“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, his friends and colleagues following this tragic incident,” he said.



“It would appear that the incident involved the fracture of coolant pipes. The nature of the material involved meant we had to tackle the fire in specialist suits, using dry power rather than water.”

Harris said there had been up to 30 firefighters at the scene, but that resources had now been scaled down. He added: “We are in the recovery mode now and would expect to be able to remove the body in a dignified manner in two to three hours.”

West Midlands police launched an investigation and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) started a full inquiry. A police spokesman said: “A man has died following an industrial accident at a metal smelting plant in Birmingham this morning.

“Police and other emergency services were called to the incident at Timet UK, on Witton industrial estate in Holford Road, Birmingham, just before 3am this morning. Officers attended the incident following reports a cooling pipe had burst.

“No further details are available at this stage and the matter is being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive. A cordon has been put in place around the site. No other premises were evacuated.”

A spokesperson said the HSE was “aware of this incident and is supporting West Midlands police with its inquiries”.