Roads around a former Black Country leather factory that was gutted by a serious fire will remain closed for several days because of fears the three-storey structure could collapse.
More than 70 firefighters spent several hours tackling the blaze at the former Jabez Cliff works in Lower Forster Street, Walsall, on Monday and more than 100 residents of homes adjacent to the factory spent a night in a refuge centre at a nearby school as a precaution while crews spent most of the night damping down the fire.
Experts are still examining the skeleton of the old building and workers may have to make it safe before roads in the area are completely re-opened.
The derelict building is believed to have once been a tannery, owned by leather firm Jabez Cliff, which used to make old-style lace-up showpiece cup final footballs for the Football Association.
A number of neighbouring buildings were evacuated –including the town’s historic Arboretum and the headquarters of Walsall Primary Care Trust – at the height of the blaze.
A man was rescued by ladder from the second floor of the vast disused building but there were no reports of any injuries.
The building was earmarked to become a £3 million health centre with two doctor’s surgeries, an optician and a pharmacy.
Fire investigation teams were also awaiting the go-ahead to enter the remains of the premises to begin a probe into the causes of the devastating fire, which caused rush-hour traffic chaos in Walsall and the surrounding district with traffic jams stretching for miles as motorists struggled to find routes around the fire scene.
Police were alerted to the incident at around 2.20pm on Monday after an officer on routine patrol in the town spotted plumes of thick black smoke rising from the Lower Forster Street site.
Insp David Payne, from Walsall Police, said: “Roads affected should be restricted to those immediately adjacent to the scene.
“Due to concerns for the stability of the building Lower Forster Street will still be closed as we wait for further assessments. We thank local people for their understanding and patience as emergency services continue to respond to this incident.”
Roads still closed include: Lower Forster Street; Littleton Street East; Hatherton Street and Teddesley Street.
