Blaze tears through Chelmsley tower block

FIREFIGHTERS were called to a serious incident at a Chelmsley Wood tower block this afternoon (Monday).

Smoke and flames could be seen rising from the roof of the high-rise building in Moorend Avenue.

West Midlands Fire Service has confirmed that a 25-strong team was dispatched to put out the blaze, which broke out at around 2pm. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

One local resident, who had been travelling in the direction of Chelmsley town centre, could see the column of smoke from half a mile away.

"You could see it rising above the trees and then as we drove closer I could see that it was pouring from the top of the building," said the 29-year-old. "It looked pretty serious."

The fire was extinguished after about an hour and those residents who had been evacuated from the building were allowed to return. One man - understood to be a contract worker - required medical attention after suffering minor burns and the effects of smoke inhalation.