Firefighters tackle Sparkbrook furniture factory fire
About 100 firefighters have been tackling a fire at a Birmingham furniture factory.
About 50 residents have been evacuated after the fire started at Direct Furniture Choice Ltd, Montgomery Street, Sparkbrook, about 16:00 BST.
No-one is believed to have been hurt in the fire which led to street closures.
Insp Jack Hadley said: "This is a very serious fire affecting a number of residential streets and sections of main arterial routes."
Part of Montgomery Street and Small Heath Highway are among roads affected.
Insp Hadley said residents living near the fire were evacuated from their homes "as a precaution".
He said some people were staying with friends or family or had been offered shelter near their homes by the local authority.
"We urge people to try and avoid the area if at all possible," the officer added.
West Midlands Fire Service will have a "significant presence" at the scene overnight, a spokesman said.