FIRES REPORTED IN WEST MIDLANDS AND NEAR HEATHROW

A large fire broke out on Walsall Road near Hall Green Road in the Stone Cross area of West Bromwich, prompting emergency services to attend the scene. National Express West Midlands confirmed it had altered bus routes in response to the blaze. Services 4 and 4M were affected, with buses diverted via Hall Green Road, Crankhall Lane, Manor Road, Friar Park Road and Sandy Lane. Transport for West Midlands advised people to expect delays in the area and plan journeys accordingly.

A second fire was reported near the Yew Tree pub, just off Brandon Way in West Bromwich on the same day. West Midlands Fire Service could not be reached for immediate comment on either incident. The diversions impacted buses which normally travelled through Walsall Road and Hall Green Road towards Walsall, though services from Walsall continued on their usual routes.

Separately, flights at Heathrow Airport were reportedly suspended following a fire near the threshold of runway 09R. A photograph taken from inside a terminal showed thick smoke billowing into the sky. Aviation News UK reported that some departures had been suspended as a result of the blaze near the runway threshold.