Tower block residents return home after evacuation

Residents of a tower block have been allowed to return home after the building was partially evacuated following reports of a "chemical-like smell."

West Midlands Fire Service said firefighters were called to Hillmeads Road, Kings Norton, at about 19:10 BST on Tuesday.

People living between floors seven and 10 of Speedwell House were evacuated as a precaution, the fire service said.

Air monitoring checks by experts and Cadent Gas had been carried out but assessments found "no significant readings on any floor or flat."

West Midlands Fire Service said it also worked with Birmingham City Council and Severn Trent Water to access and check drains and soil stack pipes but "nothing of significance was detected."

A spokesperson added: "Once investigations had been concluded, a multi-agency briefing involving West Midlands Ambulance Service, Severn Trent Water, Birmingham City Council, Cadent Gas, and West Midlands Police took place.

"Residents were then allowed to return to their homes and were advised to open their windows to ventilate the building."

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