Huge factory fire sends smoke billowing across Staffordshire towns

Residents have described hearing loud explosions 'like a plane crash' or a 'bomb going off' after a huge industrial fire broke out in a Staffordshire town.

Emergency services descended on Cannock after the massive inferno broke out at a parcel centre at around 6am this morning (Thurs).

Thick plumes of black smoke could be seen billowing into the air - which could be seen from as far as 20 miles away in Tamworth.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service sent ten fire engines to the scene near the A460 Orbital Island and evacuated local businesses.

Residents told how they were woken by a series of loud explosions before the area was engulfed by "ominous" black smoke.