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Huge blaze at Lichfield warehouse 'was started deliberately'

Fire involving waste bales tore through former GKN site on Crossfield Industrial Estate

A huge blaze which tore through a warehouse in Lichfield was started deliberately, fire investigators have revealed.


More than 60 firefighters tackled the blaze which broke out at the Crossfield Industrial Estate at around 7.20pm on Tuesday.


READ MORE: Huge fire tears through abandoned GKN warehouse in Lichfield

Around 5,000 tonnes of waste was stored in bales inside the former GKN site, though only a small amount of the waste itself was affected by the fire.


Fire at former GKN warehouse in Lichfield
Fire at former GKN warehouse in Lichfield(Image: Lichfield Mercury)

A joint investigation by police and the fire service on Wednesday has now determined that the blaze was started deliberately.

Station Manager Bob Preston, from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It is extremely concerning that this fire was caused deliberately and we will be working closely with Staffordshire Police as they carry out their investigations. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact them.


Fire at former GKN warehouse in Lichfield
(Image: Lichfield Mercury)

“These fires take up considerable time and resources. If so many of our firefighters are at these incidents they are not available to respond to other emergencies.

“It is also very disappointing to see another large fire involving illegal waste in Staffordshire. This is the fourth incident of its type in the last 12 months.


Fire at former GKN warehouse in Lichfield
(Image: Lichfield Mercury)

“We had already visited and risk assessed this site. Thanks to our planning work with partner agencies we were able to put our robust multi-agency plans into action and limiting the scale and impact the fire had on the surrounding community and transport network.

“We are still advising local people to keep windows and doors closed, due to the smoke, as a precaution.”


Fire at former GKN warehouse in Lichfield
Fire crews at the scene(Image: Lichfield Mercury)

“There are still crews at the scene continuing work to put out the fire and we expect to have firefighters at the incident for the next few days.”

A police cordon was put up around the scene on Tuesday evening while the nearby Cross City line was also affected.

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Emergency services advised people in areas affected by the smoke to stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed, while drivers were also urged to avoid the area where possible.

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