Birmingham roads reopened after spilled substance found not to be hazardous
Roads in Birmingham that were closed after a spillage of an unknown substance at a Government building have reopened after it was found to be harmless.
West Midlands Fire Service sealed off an area outside Birmingham’s Civil Justice Centre after being called to the scene, near the West Midlands Metro Bull Street tram stop, at 4.07pm on Tuesday.
The fire service said West Midlands Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service were also at the incident, which halted tram services in both directions.
The service later said: “We’re pleased to confirm this incident is now finished. The substance was identified as not hazardous to the public. Our crews will soon be leaving the scene and Bull Street will be reopened.”
West Midlands Metro said trams were still not able to run between Library and Edgbaston Village due to a broken-down tram at Library.
Earlier the spillage of an "unknown substance" forced the evacuation of the six-storey building.
Part of Bull Street was cordoned off while West Midlands Fire Service investigated the "spillage" of an unknown substance at the Lord Chancellor's office, which is in the same building as the Birmingham Civil and Family Justice Centre.
Police, ambulance and 30 fire personnel were on the scene and trams were stopped from running down Bull Street in the city centre.
West Midlands Police tweeted: "We are currently at the Lord Chancellor's office, Bull Street, Birmingham.
"We were called to Bull Street at around 4.35pm after the building was evacuated.
"There is a cordon in place while West Midlands Fire Service colleagues investigates the spillage of an unknown substance."
West Midlands Fire Service provided an update on the incident. A spokesman said: "At 16:07 on 28 March, crews were mobilised to an incident on Bull Street in Birmingham. We're there with colleagues from West Midlands Police and Ambulance Service.
"Due to the incident, which is ongoing, Bull Street is currently closed. The incident has also affected the West Midlands Metro tram services, which cannot pass through Bull Street from either direction. Please follow West Midlands Metro on Twitter for updates regarding tram travel."
Local businesses and residents were asked to avoid the area, with cordons in effect.
West Midlands Metro tweeted: "Trams are still unable to run between Bull Street and Edgbaston Village due to a fire engine blocking the tracks on Corporation Street.
"Trams are running between Wolverhampton St George's and Bull Street only."
