Thick smoke was visible from a significant fire that erupted at an office building in a bustling city center. Emergency services swiftly responded to the incident at a 16-story structure located at Colmore Circus Queensway in Birmingham, leading to the evacuation of the building and causing substantial travel disturbances.
The fire department reported, “Colmore Row is currently closed while fire crews are actively working to extinguish a fire on the top floor of a high-rise at Colmore Circus Queensway. The fire has been contained, and progress is being made. It is advised to avoid the area, with a cordon established from Snow Hill Queensway to Livery Street, partially closing off a section of Colmore Row.”
Following the disruption, metro services in Birmingham have resumed after temporary suspension between St Chad’s and Edgbaston Village. However, Colmore Row remains inaccessible as fire crews continue their presence at the scene.
Transport for West Midlands announced, “@WMmetro services are back to normal operations, with the metro line reopened. Buses and road traffic will still experience diversions due to the ongoing road closure.”
Although the fire at the high-rise building in Birmingham has been extinguished, travel disruptions persist. West Midlands Fire Service confirmed, “The fire has been put out with no further spread reported. Firefighters were assisted by drone operations. We are planning to reduce our presence at the incident soon, but disruption will continue. Snow Hill Queensway to Livery Street will remain closed, affecting Colmore Row.”
Authorities are redirecting traffic away from Colmore Circus Queensway towards Snowhill Queensway, with a National Express bus stationary on Livery Street due to the road closure.
Bus passengers are advised to plan ahead as city center buses cannot access Colmore Row. Nearest bus stops for exiting the city are located on Snow Hill Queensway outbound or Great Charles Street Queensway.
Firefighters are employing a hydraulic aerial platform to combat the blaze at the 16-story building. West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson stated, “Six fire engines, three brigade response vehicles, and a hydraulic aerial platform are currently at the scene attending to a fire on the top floor of the high-rise building.”
Members of the public are urged to steer clear of the area as the operation continues. The fire service emphasized, “Colmore Row remains closed as we work on-site. Due to the rush hour, it is advisable to avoid the area and seek alternate transport routes. The building, which is vacant, has been fully evacuated.”
The situation has prompted major disruptions in public transport in Birmingham. Snow Hill train station remains operational, but bus and tram services are affected. West Midlands Fire Service advised, “There is significant bus and tram disruption. Please follow @TransportForWM for public transport updates.”
Additionally, eyewitnesses at the scene have reported on social media about the traffic congestion and smoke still emanating from the building. Fire crews are actively engaged in containing the fire on the top floor of the office building, leading to road closures and travel disturbances in the area.