SMOKE has been seen bellowing into the air this lunchtime (Tuesday, July 17) after trees caught fire in Quinton.

Firefighters from Oldbury Fire Station have been tackling the blaze – which involved conifer trees and a skip – near the Hagley Road West/Quinton Expressway island since 12.26pm.

A West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said: “We received a 999 call at 12.26pm to Hagley Road West, Quinton, reporting a tree was on fire near to the church and the island.

“We sent one fire engine and one brigade response vehicle to the scene.

“The incident involved a fire in a skip which had spread to large conifer trees in the front garden of a house.

“Crews used a hose reel jet and a main jet to extinguish it.”

The firefighters left the scene at about 1.30pm but are set to return this afternoon to check if there has been any flare ups or hot spots remaining.

The spokesman confirmed no indication to the cause of the fire has yet been given.