Residents in Birmingham have been warned to steer clear of a raging inferno that has erupted, belching vast columns of black smoke skywards.

The blaze is thought to have ignited within a car park situated near Lower Tower Street, although official confirmation is pending. The cause of the fire remains a mystery, but there have been unconfirmed reports on social media of "explosions."

A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service issued a statement: "We currently have a large number of firefighters dealing with a fire incident on Lower Tower Street in Newtown, Birmingham. Please avoid the area."

"Ten crews are currently in attendance at the incident on Lower Tower Street in Aston. Advice is to please keep all windows and doors closed."

As the fire continues to burn fiercely, it has cast a pall of black smoke over the cityscape. Public transport has been disrupted, with bus routes being rerouted to avoid the vicinity of the blaze, reports the Mirror.