{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}{{Old news|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox news event | title = 2013 Smethwick fire | image_name = Photograph of the aftermath of the fire at the Jayplas recycling site in Smethwick, West Midlands taken 02-07-2013 2013-07-02 19-44.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = Aftermath, seen on 2 July 2013 | date = {{start date|2013|06|30|df=y}} | time = | place = Dartmouth Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, England | coordinates = {{coord|52.50322|-1.96942|region:GB_type:event|display=inline,title}} | also known as = | cause = Sky lantern | participants = | outcome = | reported injuries = | reported missing = | reported property damage = | inquiries = | inquest = | suspects = | accused = | convicted = | charges = | verdict = | convictions = | litigation = }}
[[File:Day 183 - West Midlands Police - Smethwick Fire Air Support.jpg|thumb|The fire seen from the West Midlands Police helicopter]]
At around 11pm<ref name="BBC-a" /> on the night of 30 June 2013, a sky lantern landed on a Jayplas plastics and paper recycling plant on Dartmouth Road, near to the West Bromwich Albion football ground, at Smethwick, West Midlands, England, igniting the material stored there.<ref name="ES-bosses" />
The resulting fire was the largest ever dealt with by the West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS), who deployed over 200 firefighters<ref name="BBC-a">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-23123549|title=Smethwick fire: Chinese lantern 'caused largest blaze'|date=1 July 2013|work=BBC Online|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref> and nearly 40 appliances,<ref name="WMFS-twitter-1">{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/WestMidsFire/status/351685519371026433|title=Twitter|date=1 July 2013|publisher=West Midlands Fire Service|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref> including seven appliances borrowed from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service<ref name="WMFS-twitter-1" /> and three from Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.<ref name="WMFS-twitter-1" /> Three firefighters were taken to hospital.<ref name="ES-bosses" />
The {{convert|6000|ft|m}}<ref name="Lobo">{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/news/central/2013-07-01/150-firefighters-at-major-smethwick-fire/|title=150 firefighters at 'major' Smethwick fire|last=Lobo|first=Joe|work=Central - ITV News|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref> column of smoke cloud could be seen as far away as Coventry. 10 miles away in Yardley, the skies were filled with grey ash in the morning rush hour. WMFS received over 400 emergency phone calls.<ref name="WMFS-twitter-2">{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/WestMidsFire/status/351604342874312704|title=Twitter|publisher=West Midlands Fire Service|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref>
The Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency monitored nearby waterways for toxic residues in the run-off water.<ref name="BBc-wild">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-23129776|title=Smethwick fire: Saving wildlife after a huge blaze|date=1 July 2013|work=BBC Online|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="EA">{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/EnvAgencyMids/status/351699474168569856|title=Twitter|publisher=Environment Agency|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref> Birmingham Airport monitored the smoke in case it affected arriving or departing flights. Delays were caused on the adjacent M5 Motorway and the region's road network.
WMFS broadcast live from the site over the Internet, via Bambuser.<ref name="WMFS-Bambuser">{{cite web|url=http://bambuser.com/v/3706323|title=Smethwick Fire live|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref>
Initial estimates put the cost of the damage caused at £6 million.<ref name="BBC-a" />
On the afternoon of the 1 July, the WMFS called for "an urgent review of the legislation regarding the use of airborne ‘fire’ lanterns",<ref name="WMFS-sls">{{cite web|url=https://www.wmfs.net/content/sky-lanterns-statement|title=Sky lanterns: statement|date=2013-07-01|publisher=West Midlands Fire Service|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref> calling on the public and event organisers to stop using them and questioning whether event licences should be issued for events where they were to be used.<ref name="ES-bosses">{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/emergency-services/2013/07/01/huge-fire-at-smethwick-recycling-plant/|title=Bosses speak out over "tragic accident" as Chinese lantern sparks region's biggest fire|work=Express & Star|accessdate=1 July 2013}}</ref>
== See also == * Krefeld Zoo#2020 fire
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Commonscat-inline|Smethwick fire 2013}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smethwick fire}} Category:Smethwick Category:2013 disasters in the United Kingdom Category:2013 in England Category:2010s fires in the United Kingdom Category:2013 fires in Europe Category:2010s in the West Midlands (county) Category:Building and structure fires in England Category:Disasters in the West Midlands (county) Category:June 2013 in the United Kingdom Smethwick