Dramatic video footage shows firefighters using an aerial platform to tackle a severe fire at an industrial unit in Aston.

Thirty firefighters tackled the fire at the unit in Argyle Street after receiving 999 calls just before 1am today, Tuesday, January 18.

Six fire engines and an aerial platform were sent to the scene.

Ward End Fire Station took to Twitter to release the video footage.

It shows fire crews operating a hydraulic platform as smoke billows out of the industrial unit.

West Midlands Fire Service had earlier released pictures taken from the air by a drone showing the devastation caused to the unit.

Drone footage provided by West Midlands Fire Service shows damage at a factory unit in Argyll Street, Aston
Drone footage provided by West Midlands Fire Service shows damage at a factory unit in Argyll Street, Aston

A fire service spokesman said three bin lorries parked nearby suffered fire damage and all of the building had been damaged.

Fire investigators believe the blaze was caused by the growing of cannabis at the unit.

A spokesman said: "At 12.58am in the early hours of Tuesday 18 January we responded to a severe fire in an industrial unit on Argyll Street, Meteor Park, Aston.

"Five fire engines were mobilised, together with a Brigade Response Vehicle and an aerial platform. Our first crew arrived in four minutes.

"Thirty firefighters attended, from Erdington, Aston, Ward End, Highgate and Perry Barr fire stations.

"One of our drones was deployed, to support operational decision making.

"The fire was in a single-storey industrial unit.

"By 1.45am firefighters had made good progress and our last crew had left the scene by 6am.

"Three bin lorries parked nearby suffered fire damage.

"The fire is believed to be linked to the growing of cannabis."

West Midlands Police said: "We were asked by fire to help at the scene at around 1.20am.

"Fire have suggested a possible cannabis grow but our officers haven’t been able to access the site and no cannabis plants have been seen or seized."

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