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People have been evacuated and rail services have been severely disrupted after a fire tore through several derelict factories in Wolverhampton.

Witnesses described the sky as turning red following what has been declared as a ‘major incident’ in Horseley Fields.

Explosions were heard from the scene and people 15 miles away in Shropshire said they could see the fire.

A man in Barr Beacon, 11 miles from the fire, told BBC West Midlands that he saw a huge fireball and ‘large flames’

Soon after the fire broke out, people were left stranded on trains for up to two hours until 1am.

At its peak, more than 100 firefighters were on the scene – close to Wolverhampton railway station – tackling the blaze with 20 fire engines and two hydraulic platforms from across the region.

Drivers are this morning being warned to avoid the area with road closures in the city centre.

Meanwhile National Rail has said there could be delays of up to an hour for commuters.

People living nearby were evacuated to two leisure centres while those staying at home are being urged to shut their windows and doors.  

The fire service said in a statement: ‘Just after 9pm on 5th December 2022, we were called to a large fire at a derelict factory at Lower Horseley Fields, Wolverhampton.

‘The entire factory, measuring approximately 15m x 30m, is involved in fire.

‘Four fire engines initially responded. Our response was quickly increased due to the scale of the fire, and we now have more than 20 of our appliances in attendance. Two hydraulic platforms are also being utilised as our crews continue to tackle the blaze.

‘Just after 10pm, we declared this a major incident, due to the size of the incident and its proximity to the nearby railway line and houses.

‘If you live in the local area, please keep windows and doors closed.

‘We are working with other agencies, such as Police, Ambulance and Network Rail, as we continue to deal with this incident.’

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