A large fire at a derelict building in Kidderminster town centre is being tackled by more than 30 firefighters, with residents told to keep their windows shut.

Flames and smoke have been billowing from the old factory building on Park Lane near Matalan, where the slip road has been closed.

The fire service described the blaze as “significant” and asked motorists and the public to avoid the area around Park Road due to congestion.

Six appliances are in attendance, with crews from Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Stourbridge and Haden Cross stations brought in to assist.

Photos shared by the fire service show flames engulfing multiple storeys of the vacant building, with boarded windows burned through and fire seen spreading to the roof.

West Mercia Police warned smoke may make driving around the area difficult.

A fire service spokesperson said an aerial ladder platform had been deployed at the scene to deal with the “significant fire”.

“HWFRS assets have the incident surrounded, however, we would like to advise local residents to keep windows and doors shut whilst there is a smoke plume,” they added.

“Our assets have also blocked Park Lane and we would advise motorists members of the public to avoid the area due to traffic congestion.”

Social media users shared pictures of the “massive fire”, which can be seen from the carpark of Weavers Wharf Shopping Centre.

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