EIGHTEEN fire fighters battled a 'severe' blaze as it swept through a scrapyard in Lye last night (June 6).

Fire engines from Dudley, Stourbridge and Haden Cross were sent to the scene on Bromley Street in Lye.

West Midlands Fire Service was called just after 8.15pm last night to reports of a fire at Lye Valley Industrial Estate.

The blaze, which was described as 'severe' by a fire service spokesman, was confined to the scrapyard.

The fire affected a 50 metre by 30 metre area.

Four main water jets were used to subdue the blaze, and two fire fighters wore breathing apparatus to battle the fire.

The fire was put out just before 2.30am this morning, but crews have remained at the scene to dampen down the area and deal with large amounts of smoke.