Inquiry into huge recycling fire

The cause of the fire is still being investigated

An investigation is under way after a fire at a recycling plant in the Black Country caused thick smoke to disrupt nearby rail services.

Up to 70 firefighters tackled the blaze at Bloomfield Recycling in Tipton on Wednesday but also had to contend with youths throwing stones at them.

A spokesman said it was a problem they had to deal with "day in and day out".

Network Rail said services on the West Coast Mainline were back to normal following the fire.

Daily attacks

Smoke from scrap wood and sawdust reached about 50ft (15.2m) into the air but it is not yet known what caused the blaze.

The incident was just 20 yards away from the West Coast Mainline and services were affected between Coseley and Tipton with trains being diverted and missing out Sandwell and Dudley.

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service said: "Youths have been making life difficult for some of our firefighters by stoning them.

"It's all too common place at the moment but it is by no means acceptable. It's a problem we have to deal with day in day out."