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Crews are expected to stay on throughout the night and into tomorrow tackling the "severe" fire which has engulfed a scrap metal plant in Birmingham. Around 4,000 families had been warned they could have their power supplies cut overnight after an electricity pylon was deactivated earlier this evening for safety reasons. Provider Western Power Distribution said all supplies were restored to customers by 9pm after engineers temporarily cut the power to protect firefighters tackling the blaze. Tonight Chief Fire Officer Phil Loach, from the West Midlands Fire Service, said: "Fire crews have made progress and the fire has now been surrounded. These types of incidents draw in a lot of resources in the initial stages - this is to prevent the fire spreading. "It is likely to be a protracted incident and we will be dealing with the incident for at least the next 24 hours."

West Midlands Fire Service A fire has broken out with 70 fire fighter battling the flames

Fire crews were called to the blaze earlier this afternoon after around 800 tonnes of metal and plastic at the scrapyard caught fire. So far, there have been no reports of any casualties as a result of the blaze, which is believed to have started accidentally. Some 17 fire engines were also rushed to the scene to deal with the "serious" blaze at the site in Birmingham. Smoke has been seen for miles around the city centre after the blaze at the site in Saltley on Clarel Avenue. There are power cables running through the site and so there are concerns supplies could be affected. West Midlands Fire Service said the fire involved 800 tonnes of mixed plastic, rubber and metal. People are being advised to avoid the area. At 4pm, West Midlands Fire tweeted: "View from above of #SaltleyFire taken from our drone. We've now increased to 17 fire engines - over 100 firefighters."

West Midlands Fire Service Over 100 fire fighters are battling the fire

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "Our operations at the scene have been split into different sectors. "The overall operation is being run from a mobile incident command unit. "As well as working to extinguish the main fire, crews are working hard to try to stop the it spreading to other scrap. "We are liaising with Network Rail and monitoring the impact on local rail lines. "We will also be working closely with Environmental Protection officers as part of the multi-agency response to the fire. "We have liaised with Birmingham Airport to inform them of the smoke plume."

West Midlands Fire Service A second aerial platform is in use at the fire

West Midlands Fire have also requested that people do not call 999 as they have had over 100 phone calls. People in areas affected are advised to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution for the time being. The West Midlands Fire Investigation team tweeted a dramatic video of the blaze and said: "smoke can be seen for miles."

Smoke can be seen for miles pic.twitter.com/dUtjUA2GG2 — Fire Investigation (@WMInvestigators) March 29, 2016

West Midlands Fire Service The fire can be seen across the city of Birmingham

Motorists have also been urged to avoid the area. The West Midlands Fire Investiation team tweeted: "The guys and girls are working really hard to stop this spreading. In dangerous conditions, lots of pops and bangs."

West Midlands Fire Investigation The authorities are working to put out the fire

Twitter user, Foreignbird, tweeted: "Concerned about implications for air quality/public health as a result of the Saltley Fire. Any guidelines?? @WestMidsFire @BhamUpdates." Oliver Raisbeck, Managing Director at First Response Training, said: “Luckily, it appears as though there have been no human casualties in this fire outbreak, but it is still a stark reminder that fires can have a devastating impact on businesses, homes and lives.



“It is unclear at this point, as the fire still rages on, what impact it will have on homes around the area and on those attempting to travel nearby, such as to and from work. “It is important that anyone who owns or manages a business understands their responsibilities with regards to fire safety and how they can reduce the risk of fire. Employees should also be made aware of fire emergency procedures and should receive statutory fire training.



“Following these procedures can prove the difference between life and death.”