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Crews tackle major fire as people told avoid area Crews tackle major fire as people told avoid area
(31 minutes later)
Fire crews described the blaze as a "significant fire"Fire crews described the blaze as a "significant fire"
People have been urged to avoid an area of Birmingham where fire crews are tackling what has been described as a "significant fire". More than 50 firefighters have tackled a major fire in Birmingham which broke out in a shop and spread to flats above.
West Midlands Fire Service said the buildings affected in Sparkhill were a mix of commercial and residential properties. It started at the store on Stratford Road, in the Sparkhill area, shortly before 04:55 GMT.
The fire broke out at about 04:30 GMT and Stratford Road has been closed between Hillfield Road and Foremans Road. West Midlands Fire Service said five people from the flats left their properties and were checked by paramedics, but there were no casualties or injuries reported.
It is a major route into the city and disruption is expected. The road has been closed between Formans Road and Nansen Road.
Buses operated by National Express West Midlands have also been diverted.
A fire service spokesman said: "This was a fire at the front of a retail shop, which spread to shop signage and the bay windows of flats above the shop.
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the shop and flats to search for casualties."
Abdul Khan urged people to plan their journeys after the blaze started in the early hoursAbdul Khan urged people to plan their journeys after the blaze started in the early hours
The fire has since been brought under control, although crews are still working to stop it spreading. was later brought under control but a hydraulic aerial platform remains in use as crews work to prevent fire spread, with two fire engines still at the scene.
Fire investigators are at the scene working with crews, a police spokesman said.
On the Sparkhill Neighbourhood page on Facebook, administrator Abdul Khan urged people to plan their journeys and said Stratford Road and many other side roads remained closed off.On the Sparkhill Neighbourhood page on Facebook, administrator Abdul Khan urged people to plan their journeys and said Stratford Road and many other side roads remained closed off.
Local residents said the fire started at a local supermarket, but this has not been confirmed by the BBC.
Buses operated by National Express West Midlands have been diverted.
National Express West Midlands buses are running via Showell Green Lane, Yardley Wood Road, Wake Green Road and College Road, the operator said on X.
The company wrote, external: "We apologise for any disruption to your journey."
The fire closed a main route into Birmingham during the morning rush hourThe fire closed a main route into Birmingham during the morning rush hour
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