FIRE service bosses have said a blaze at a Stourbridge car repair and tyre centre “started accidentally”.

More than 40 firefighters tackled the flames when a large fire broke out at Chemix Autocentre Stourbridge – Team Protyre last Tuesday (March 19) just after 9pm.

West Midlands Fire Service said the premises were “significantly affected by fire and smoke” following the incident, which saw residents evacuated and the A491 closed while fire crews were at the scene.

A spokesperson for the fire service has since confirmed: "We believe this fire started accidentally.”

Chemix Autocentre Stourbridge – Team Protyre, which is part of the Micheldever Group, remains closed following the incident but bosses have stressed the facility will re-open as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, customers have been directed to either Protyre Halesowen or Protyre Wednesfield while repairs are completed at the Wordsley site which suffered smoke damage.

A spokesperson for the company stressed “protyre is very much open for business” and happy to serve customers at its other centres.