HUNDREDS of residents were evacuated from their homes as a major fire took hold in a disused factory in Walsall.

Houses, pubs and shops were cleared near the centre of Walsall following the start of the fire at the former Jabez Cliff industrial premises in Lower Forster Street, near the main entrance to the town’s famous Arboretum.

The roof of the unit collapsed as fire officers struggled to control the blaze.

Fire crews using breathing apparatus and hose reel jets were among 12 pumps that attended the blaze, which started at about 2.15pm, in the old brick-built works in the heart of a packed residential area near the centre of the town.

Nearby roads were closed and traffic was diverted away from the scene of the fire causing afternoon chaos as motorists struggled to find a route around the blaze secene.

Traffic stretched back along the busy Lichfield Road and side streets were closed as police cleared the area.

A West Midlands Fire Service spokeswoman described the blaze as "severe" and said that it initially affected the upper two floors of the three-storey building.

Police were alerted to the incident when an officer on routine patrol in the town spotted plumes of thick black smoke rising from the Lower Forster Street site.

A refuge centre was established for people who had been evacuated.

A police spokesman warned anyone else near the town centre to stay indoors.

He said: “Residents who have not been ordered to leave their homes or businesses by emergency services should go indoors, close windows and doors and tune in to local radio for updates.

“Anyone driving through the affected area should close windows and turn off the vehicle ventilation system.  Commuters should leave additional time for their journey as the incident is expected to impact on rush hour traffic.”

Roads affected by road closures include Lower Forster Street, Upper Forster Street, Broadway North, Lichfield Street, Blue Lane West, Green Lane, Lower Rushhall Street, Hatherton Street, Wisemore, Holtshill Lane and Stafford Street.

*Top photograph courtesy of Sarah Ahmed *