Smethwick blaze CCTV released
West Midlands Fire Service has released CCTV footage of the moment it believes a Chinese lantern floated into a recyling centre in Smethwick, starting a huge blaze
Chinese lantern captured on CCTV before massive blaze
Fire investigators have established a Chinese lantern - captured on CCTV falling on to the site - was to blame for the fire, which at its height was being tackled by more than 200 firefighters.
Vijith Randeniya, chief fire officer of West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, said the brigade did not want to be "party poopers" but called for a debate on the use of lanterns for celebrations.
He said: "My forensics people have been here from the start and have reviewed CCTV and spoken to people and looked at the way the fire started and looking at the CCTV evidence, you can see a Chinese lantern floating gently, and then land and then eight minutes later you see the fire start."
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Firefighters struggle with massive Smethwick blaze
Firefighters are struggling to deal with a fire at a recycling plant in the Midlands which was started by a stray Chinese lantern.
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150 firefighters at 'major' Smethwick fire
Around 50,000 tonnes of plastic recycling material and a factory is on fire in Smethwick.