One in hospital as crews fight severe building fire
BBCA severe fire has left one person in hospital after dozens of firefighters battled a blaze on the fourth floor of a five-storey building.
Roads were closed around the blaze on Constitution Hill in Hockley, Birmingham, a busy route through to the city centre.
People were urged to avoid the area as "considerable disruption" was expected with Constitution Hill/Old Snow Hill remaining shut.
The fire in the Grade II-listed property broke out just before 07:30 GMT and West Midlands Police said one person was taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke. A spokesperson added the cause of the fire was being investigated.
In an update published at 12:25, West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service confirmed all occupants of the building had been accounted for following a search of the area.
They added Constitution Hill remained closed but the incident had been "scaled down" with just three fire engines left at the scene.
National Grid also attended the scene to isolate a nearby substation.
BBC WM reporter Liam Berry, reporting from the scene, said the fire "seemed to be contained".
He added: "I can see a lot of fire trucks and some other emergency services.
"The room the fire seems to be in is all black, all the windows are smashed as well, and there's just a little bit of smoke coming off the roof.
"The rest of the building doesn't seem to be affected, it is literally just that one room."
The building dates back to 1896 and was designed by architects William Doubleday and Shaw.
It was also the former home of HB Sale factory and has since been Grade II-listed.
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