High-rise tower block evacuated after fire

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service has issued advice for tenants of high-rise tower blocks following a suspected arson attack in the city earlier today.

Area Commander Ben Brook said:

The following advice has been issued in case there’s a fire in your flat:

• Plan and practise an escape route with anyone you live with – it’s usually your normal way in or out
• Close doors behind you as you leave activate the fire alarm if you can do so safely
• Don’t use lifts to get out
• Stay out the building
• Call 999If there’s a fire in another part of the building
• know your landlord’s advice, which may be ‘stay put’ or evacuate
• Fire safety standards mean individual flats should be safe from fire for 30-60 minutesIf you do stay put
• Call 999
• Use wet towels or sheets to fill gaps around doors and seal out smoke
• Smoke rises, so stay low if there’s no smoke outside,
• Open a window slightly to let smoke out but try to avoid breaking the window as you might need to close it later.

A fire at a Birmingham Tower block led to the evacuation of residents earlier today.

Emergency services attended the scene at Cleveland Tower just before 11:30AM.

Up to four crews including around 20 officers - were at the scene. A member of the emergency services said that the fire had started in the lobby area on the 22nd floor which led to the stairwell becoming 'compromised by smoke.'

There are no reported injuries at this time.

ITV News has contacted West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service for a response.