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Crews tackle fire at Premier Waste in Perry Barr Crews tackle fire at Premier Waste in Perry Barr
(35 minutes later)
Firefighters have been tackling a "large fire" at a recycling plant in Birmingham.Firefighters have been tackling a "large fire" at a recycling plant in Birmingham.
At its height, 75 firefighters tackled 500 tonnes of paper alight at Premier Waste on Walsall Road, Perry Barr. West Midlands Fire Service was called at about 02:50 BST.At its height, 75 firefighters tackled 500 tonnes of paper alight at Premier Waste on Walsall Road, Perry Barr. West Midlands Fire Service was called at about 02:50 BST.
The A34 was closed in both directions but has since reopened.The A34 was closed in both directions but has since reopened.
The service said crews had also dealt with a blaze at another recycling firm in Wolverhampton on Monday morning.The service said crews had also dealt with a blaze at another recycling firm in Wolverhampton on Monday morning.
The second fire was smaller and about 40 firefighters were called to the scene in the early hours, a spokesperson said. It saw up to 60 firefighters called to Lower Walsall Street at about 02:00 BST, a spokesperson said.
The causes of the fires are not yet known and both are being investigated, he added.
People living in the Perry Barr area have been urged to keep windows and doors shut.People living in the Perry Barr area have been urged to keep windows and doors shut.
A service spokesperson said the fire had been contained, but was not yet completely out. About 45 firefighters remain on site, he added.A service spokesperson said the fire had been contained, but was not yet completely out. About 45 firefighters remain on site, he added.
Crews have been searching the building for "pockets" of fire that might have sprung up.Crews have been searching the building for "pockets" of fire that might have sprung up.
Station Commander Dave Hilton said the cause of the fire was not yet known and crews are expected to stay on site for the rest of the day. Station Commander Dave Hilton said crews were expected to stay on site for the rest of the day.
Building demolishedBuilding demolished
A spokesman from Premier Waste said the firm was open for business "with limited resource". No one had been on site overnight at the factory, he added.A spokesman from Premier Waste said the firm was open for business "with limited resource". No one had been on site overnight at the factory, he added.
The service said the fire was about "half the size" of a blaze caused by a Chinese lantern at a recycling factory in Smethwick in June, the 15th fire at a waste recycling site in the West Midlands this year.The service said the fire was about "half the size" of a blaze caused by a Chinese lantern at a recycling factory in Smethwick in June, the 15th fire at a waste recycling site in the West Midlands this year.
Another fire, caused by spontaneous combustion, broke out at Lawrence Recycling in Kidderminster, Worcestershire in June. Part of the site is currently being demolished in order to fully extinguish the fire.Another fire, caused by spontaneous combustion, broke out at Lawrence Recycling in Kidderminster, Worcestershire in June. Part of the site is currently being demolished in order to fully extinguish the fire.
The Recycling Association, which represents 65 recycling businesses across the UK, said only a few insurance companies were willing to offer to cover recycling firms, which meant high premiums. The Recycling Association, which represents 65 recycling businesses across the UK, said only a few insurance companies were willing to cover recycling firms, which meant high premiums.
"After the summer, we will be linking our insurance premiums to health and safety performances," said Simon Ellins from the association."After the summer, we will be linking our insurance premiums to health and safety performances," said Simon Ellins from the association.
"Each facility will be fully audited, putting into place all health and safety procedures."Each facility will be fully audited, putting into place all health and safety procedures.
"Then it is in the owner's financial interest to keep on top on health and safety, because failing to do that would hit them in the pocket.""Then it is in the owner's financial interest to keep on top on health and safety, because failing to do that would hit them in the pocket."