Words by Ed King
Residents around Yatesbury Avenue on Castle Vale are voicing their concerns after a fire in a communal storeroom nearly caused a “massive explosion”, in an area that is routinely used as a “smoking den” by local youths.
The outside storage area that was found alight serves the properties around 431 Yatesbury Avenue and is adjacent to the building’s plant room, which houses all the mechanical and electrical hubs that bring heating and power to the surrounding flats.
The blaze, which sent flames licking around the door, was caught by local residents before it spread. Emergency services were immediately contacted and the fire was subsequently extinguished by West Midlands Fire Service.
But people living in the area are fearful that next time they won’t be so lucky and told how the fire “could have destroyed half the properties around the area.”
The storage room, which can be accessed from the street, has reportedly become a place where children described as being around school age “hang out and smoke” and “do antisocial behaviour basically”.
Reports have also come from local residents that the neighbouring plant room and other municipal storage areas have been broken into, without anyone as of yet reprimanded for the vandalism.
Local residents have banded together to try and curb the nuisance and antisocial behaviour, but following the recent fire there are heightened concerns for public safety.
One local resident, who is worried over the potential damage that could have been caused but understands the lack of provision and support for young people in the area, told Castle Vale Local: “I have concerns about kids going into residential areas and using as a place to hang out.
“The fire could have spread and right next to it is the plant room where all the boilers are, and that could have caused a massive explosion.
“It could have destroyed half the properties around the area.”
They added: “It makes me feel very concerned, to be honest. There’s been a lot of reports about kids running around and causing a load of trouble, but nothing’s being done – no one’s being held accountable for it.
“We need to start getting the parents involved, because these kids are running around with no accountability.”
Following the fire, a spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service confirmed: “The incident involved a fire in brick-built bicycle storage building, between two properties. The fire specifically involved several chairs stored in the building.
“One hose reel jet was used to extinguish the fire. Crews also made further inspections, using a thermal image camera, to ensure there was no fire spread, or hotspots, in the void above the building.”
Calling on help from their local elected official, concerned residents reached out to Councillor Ray Goodwin to address the issue.
Cllr Goodwin told Castle Vale Local: “I am deeply concerned that a few individuals could have caused untold damage to the properties where the fire was.
“I have contacted the police and Castle Vale Community Housing to ask that the CCTV on the estate is looked at so arrests can be made and to stop this happening again.”
Also recognising the need for better youth provision and collective responsibility, he added: “We need more detached youth work to engage with young people and deter them from crime.”
