Fire guts Property Link Birmingham warehouse

A furniture warehouse in Birmingham that suffered a "severe fire" will have to be demolished, engineers have said.

More than 100 firefighters were sent to Property Link in Cecil Street, Newtown, after a fire started at about 1900 BST on Thursday.

The cause of the fire remains unknown but investigators said it was not suspicious and no-one was hurt.

Engineers said the building was unsafe and most of the flat-pack furniture stock had been destroyed.

The firm employs 12 people and manager Azher Shareef said: "I'm devastated and in total shock.

"Looking at it now I can tell you that's at least £2m to £3m of damage, although I don't know exactly until we get confirmation of the extent of the damage."

At the height of the fire, which started at about 1900 BST on Thursday, 14 fire engines were used.

Police worked with the fire service in relation to chemicals at the site and nearby residents were advised on Thursday to keep their doors and windows shut as a precaution.

Most police cordons had been removed by Friday afternoon although Lower Tower Street, Ward Street and Newtown Row remain closed.