Skip to content

Arson probe after car hits shop before fire

PA Media The remains of a burnt-out vehicle, with charred bodywork, are near the scene of the fire and a fire truckwith a crane can be seen to one side.PA Media
A vehicle had to be removed from the front of the store

A major fire that broke out in a Birmingham shop is being treated as arson after a vehicle is believed to have hit the building before being set alight, police have said.

The blaze, which started at the store on Stratford Road, in the Sparkhill area, shortly before 04:55 GMT, then spread to flats above.

Residents were forced to leave their homes. Although five people were checked over by paramedics, there were no injuries reported.

Local businessman Isaac Zintaan said people who lived nearby told him they heard a loud explosion "like a bomb went off".

The 28-year-old, said: "[When I arrived] everyone was coughing due to the intensity of the smoke."

He said it appeared a car had rammed a supermarket on the ground flood of the building and footage showed a Land Rover on fire with its rear to the property, as if it had reversed into it.

A 4x4 was pictured being extracted from the shop by a fire truck and the vehicle appeared charred and warped by the blaze.

Abdul Khan A police car with blue lights is parked in the middle of the road and there is blue and white police tape visible. It is still dark and the blue lights are reflected across the image.Abdul Khan
Abdul Khan urged people to plan their journeys after the blaze started in the early hours

An arson investigation is under way by police and fire investigators.

At its height, 55 firefighters were at the scene. The fire has since been brought under control, although crews remain at the scene.

The A34 Stratford Road - a main route into Birmingham centre - was closed in both directions during morning rush hour between Formans Road and Nansen Road.

Buses operated by National Express West Midlands were diverted.

On the Sparkhill Neighbourhood page on Facebook, administrator Abdul Khan urged people to plan their journeys.

PA Media Flats above the shop have broken windows and blackened frames after the fire spread to homes above. The walls are also black and charred. The shop awnings are damaged and there is fire debris on them. Road signs are also visible from the pavement.PA Media
Residents in flats above the shop in Sparkhill had to leave their homes
A fire engine is parked in the middle of the road near the scene of the fire. There are shops on either side of the road. There is tape on nearby railings. The burnt out shop can be seen further down from the fire engine.
The fire closed a main route into Birmingham during the morning rush hour

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Related internet links