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Fire 'destroys' Carvers Wolverhampton builders merchants Fire 'destroys' Carvers Wolverhampton builders merchants
(about 3 hours later)
Crews are tackling a large fire at a builders merchants in Wolverhampton.Crews are tackling a large fire at a builders merchants in Wolverhampton.
Up to 50 firefighters are at Carvers builders merchants, Littles Lane, which began at about 11:40 GMT. No-one has been hurt. The fire at Carvers, in Littles Lane, began at about 11:40 GMT and was brought under control by 15:30 GMT. No-one was hurt.
Owner Henry Carver said: "It just happened so quickly. That's 115 years of history destroyed."Owner Henry Carver said: "It just happened so quickly. That's 115 years of history destroyed."
West Midlands Police has urged drivers to avoid the area. The smoke has also caused major disruption to train services in the area. Neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution and the smoke caused disruption to train services, although these have now resumed.
'Last to leave' 'Last look'
Passengers are advised to check with National Rail for the latest information about service disruption and diversions. Passengers have been advised to check with National Rail for the latest information about service disruption and diversions.
Mr Carver said: "The fire started in the middle. We evacuated very quickly. National Rail predicted that delays of up to 30 minutes would continue in the area until 18:00 GMT.
"I don't think I would be wrong to say I was the last person to leave, I made sure everyone was out. West Midlands Fire Service said it had found some asbestos in the roof of the collapsed depot building but the asbestos posed "no risk" to public safety. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
"It is just the speed with which it has destroyed 115... years of trading." Mr Carver said he had been taken by surprise by the alarm and his secretary had to tell him it was not a practice.
Mr Carver said he was relieved no-one had been hurt. He said: "There was a little bit of wind and it spread.
School closed "I guess the only solace we can take from it is that we got everybody out very quickly.
"Buildings I guess can be rebuilt but lives cannot," he added. "Ironically it started just below where my office was and it spread almost at walking speed.
Wolverhampton City Council said Woden Primary School had been closed early due to the fire. Hurdled gate
Neighbours in the immediate vicinity have also been evacuated from their homes as a precaution. "I did a little last minute walk round until I took a few gulps of the smoke and realised I had to get out myself."
Arriva Train Wales has suspended services between Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton and Wellington, but replacement buses are running. An electricity failure meant the doors would not open and Mr Carver was forced to jump over a small gate at the main entrance.
CrossCountry and Virgin Trains services are being diverted between Birmingham New Street and Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent and Crewe. He said he was relieved no-one had been hurt and the company, which sponsors the Wolverhampton City Marathon, would now regroup.
London Midland services are suspended between Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury, and between New Street and Stafford. The firm's former sales director Ivan Favage said it had come as a huge shock to see his workplace of 18 years burning.
Trains between Birmingham New Street and Liverpool Lime Street will run between Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street only. He said: "It is a very happy family business. Most of the people who work there have been with the company for a very long time.
The West Midland Metro service is running between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. "It is probably one of the biggest single site builders merchants in the Midlands and has been heavily involved with the community through the marathon."
Woden Primary School was closed early due to the fire.