A man has been found dead in a flat fire in Walsall during the early hours. The man, who was in his 30s, was confirmed dead at the scene in Wednesbury Road.
Emergency services were called just after 4am on Monday, November 20. A cordon remains in place while forensic examinations take place to establish the cause of the fire and how the man died.
Wednesbury Road was closed off in both directions between Old Pleck Road and Oxford Street. The junction of Bescot Road and Old Pleck Road is also reportedly closed in both directions.
Hillary Primary School in Pleck has told pupils to stay home due to the incident nearby. National Express West Midlands has been forced to divert several buses as a result of the road closures. The firm took to social media at 6.05am to say services 11, 11A, 34 and 37 were affected, apologising to passengers for 'any disruption' to journeys.
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Key Events
Fire started in bedroom of first-floor flat
A West Midlands Fire Service spokesperson said: "Shortly before 4.10am on Monday, we responded to Wednesbury Road, Walsall.. Four fire engines were mobilised, crewed by 17 firefighters from Walsall, Willenhall and Wednesbury stations.
"This was a severe fire in a first-floor flat, in a two-storey building. The fire started in a bedroom, which was completely affected by fire, whilst the flat below was heavily smoke logged.
"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire. Very sadly, paramedics confirmed the death of one person found inside the flat where the fire started. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.
"Our crews checked a number of neighbouring properties for fire and smoke spread. One person left the building before we arrived, but was uninjured.
"Wednesbury Road remains closed, with diversions in place. Our fire investigators are at the scene and liaising with West Midlands Police. They are being supported by a team from our Technical Rescue Unit, who are ensuring that the building is safe to enter."
Outbound road closure lifted
The outbound road closure from Walsall on Wednesbury Road has been lifted, the council said.
The inbound closure from to Pleck Road is still in place.
Motorists have been warned to expect delays and plan ahead.
https://x.com/WalsallCouncil/status/1726555906073080248?s=20
Photos from the scene
This was the scene in Walsall this morning after a man was found dead at a flat fire. Emergency services were called to Wednesbury Road, Pleck, just after 4am.
Medics arrived to find two patients - a man and woman - but said it 'quickly became apparent' that nothing could be done to save the man, who was in his 30s.
The woman was assessed for the effects of smoke inhalation before being discharged at the scene. West Midlands Police said a cordon remains in place while forensic examinations take place to establish the cause of the fire and how the man died.
Video shows damage caused by fire
Footage from the scene shows the damage caused by the fire.
Fire crews remain at the scene and an investigation into the cause of the blaze, and how the man died, is under way.
A cordon is still in place.
Woman treated at scene by medics
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to reports of a flat fire on Wednesbury Road at 4.18am. One ambulance and a paramedic officer were sent to the scene.
A spokesman said: “On arrival, ambulance staff discovered two patients. One of whom, a man, it sadly quickly became apparent nothing could be done to save and he was confirmed dead at the scene.
“The second patient, a woman, was assessed for the effects of smoke inhalation before being discharged at the scene.”
Police appeal for information
Anyone with information that could assist the police investigation is urged to call 101.
Alternatively, use the live chat facility at www.west-midlands.police.uk.
People are asked to quote 371 of 20/11.
West Midlands Police statement in full
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We’re investigating after a man was found dead in a flat fire in Walsall this morning.
"Emergency services were called just after 4am to Wednesbury Road, where a man in his 30s was confirmed dead at the scene
"A cordon remains in place with a road closure while forensic examinations take place to establish the cause of the fire and how the man died.
"Officers are conducting house to house enquiries and anyone with information is asked to contact us."
Council 'unable to comment' on school closure
When asked when Hillary Primary School would reopen, a spokesperson for Walsall Council said: “As this is a police incident, we are unable to comment at this stage.”
Video shows firefighters at the scene
Firefighters remain at the scene in Wednesbury Road this morning.
A cordon remains in place with a road closure while forensic examinations take place to establish the cause of the fire and how the man died.
Man found dead in flat fire
West Midlands Police said a man was found dead in a flat fire this morning.
Emergency services were called just after 4am to Wednesbury Road, where a man in his 30s was confirmed dead at the scene.
Buses diverted
National Express West Midlands has said several buses have been diverted as a result of the incident.
Services 11, 11A, 34 and 37 have been affected.
Making the announcement on social media, the firm said: "We apologise for any disruption to your journey."
https://x.com/nxwestmidlands/status/1726481831921385822?s=20
Primary school closed due to incident nearby
Hillary Primary School in Hillary Street, Pleck, has announced it is closed to 'all pupils' as a result of the incident.
A message on its website read: "School is closed to all pupils due to a police incident in the local area."
Walsall Council has been contacted for further information about when the school is due to reopen.
Roads closed
Traffic monitoring site Inrix reports Wednesbury Road in Walsall has been closed in both directions from A4148 Old Pleck Road to Oxford Street due to a police incident.
It said the junction of Bescot Road and Old Pleck Road was also shut in both directions.
Traffic is reportedly slow in the area.
