Overview

• A severe fire broke out in a three-storey furniture shop on Rea Street in Birmingham's Digbeth area shortly before 9 am on May 20, 2025.
• Around fifty firefighters and multiple fire crews are actively working to contain the blaze, which has caused the building's roof to collapse.
• Thick plumes of black smoke are visible across Birmingham city centre, prompting public safety advisories to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed.
• Nearby businesses have been evacuated as a precaution, though no injuries have been reported so far.
• The incident follows another large fire in the West Midlands just two days earlier, highlighting ongoing fire safety challenges in the region.