Fire crews fight oil refinery blaze

Twenty fire engines are at the scene in Redditch

More than 130 firefighters are tackling a major fire at an oil refinery in Worcestershire.

Twenty engines are at the scene in Redditch along with two water carriers and a hydraulic platform and firefighters are battling to bring the fire under control.

The alarm was raised at 0430 GMT when fire broke out at a two-storey building containing chemicals at the Washford Industrial Estate, Hemming Road.

Police say that despite the fact it is in a residential area, they are not considering evacuating homes but residents in the Matchborough area are being advised to keep their doors and windows closed because of fumes.

Hereford and Worcester's Deputy Chief Fire Officer Brian Tregunna said: "The factory is well alight with huge plumes of smoke and flames shooting out through the roof.

"There are eight fire fighting jets around the exterior of the building ready to provide boundary cooling and prevent the fire from spreading."