Fire breaks out in office

A MAN needed oxygen following a fire in the basement of an office in Wythall.

Staff at the Phoenix Group, on Wythall Green Way, managed to evacuate the building safely after a fire broke out in a boiler room beneath the offices on Tuesday (January 24).

The man was suffering from smoke inhalation and was given emergency oxygen therapy by firefighters before being seen by ambulance staff.

Two crews from Redditch and one from Bromsgrove were sent to the offices of the group of authorised life assurance companies about 8.50am.

Firefighters in breathing apparatus went into the building and used a carbon dioxide extinguisher and thermal imaging equipment as they tackled the fire which was out by 9.45am.

After the room had been ventilated to clear the smoke, staff were allowed back inside.

Station commander Steve Fox said the fire involved a rubber fan belt which is believed to have shredded and caused heavy smoke logging in the affected area.