Yahoo News Cannock fire devastation as Hermes lorries at Super Smart Service warehouse fire
Pictures show the devastating impact of a huge fire in the West Midlands this morning, May 9. Hermes lorries are shown to be parked up at a crushed warehouse in Cannock that has been engulfed in flames.
The latest pictures from the scene show the gutted shell of the vast industrial building, which has been swallowed by thick black smoke. Footage appears to show the blaze has broken out at Super Smart Service, but we are awaiting official confirmation from emergency services.
Businesses have been evacuated, residents have been told to stay inside and smoke can be seen from as far as Great Wyrley, Hednesford, Rugeley, Brownhills and Stafford.
A spokesperson for Hermes said: "We're pleased that no one was injured in the fire this morning at the Super Smart Service site. We can confirm there will be no impact to Evri's operation."
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The blaze broke out near the A460 Orbital Island in Cannock early this morning, but there is widespread travel disruption in the area, and buses are being diverted.
A "large scale incident" was declared after 6am by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
Staffordshire Police shared an update on behalf of fire and police, which said: "We are at the scene of a large warehouse fire in Cannock. Crews got a call just before 6.15am this morning (Thursday 9 May) to an address on Cley Road.
"We’ve currently got lots of firefighters down there alongside other colleagues from West Midlands Fire Service and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service to help bring the fire under control.
"We’re advising the public to avoid the area where possible whilst we work to bring the incident to a safe and swift conclusion. If you live nearby and feel you are affected, we recommend closing your windows and doors as a precaution due to heavy amounts of smoke coming from the building.
"We will share updates as soon as we’re able to."
West Midlands Ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called at 6.36am by the fire service to Kingswood Lakeside in Cannock. Prior to our arrival, we were stood down as our assistance was no longer required.”
A number of West Midlands residents have been in touch with BirminghamLive this morning with pictures and videos to show the scale of the fire. Residents from as far as Great Wyrley, Hednesford, Rugeley, and Burntwood have been in touch to say they have either been impacted or witnessed the blaze unfold.
Motorists from the M6 have also shared pictures of towers of smoke stretching over the motorway. Hundreds have taken to our social media pages to share what they saw and heard, including Andy Fill who described a "big bang."
We are reporting on this major incident live, follow our updates here.
