Thick smoke can be seen coming from a massive fire that has broken out at an office building in a busy city centre.

Emergency services are on the scene in Colmore Row, Birmingham, with the blaze having also caused significant travel disruption.

The fire brigade states: "Colmore Row is closed, as fire crews work to extinguish a fire on the top floor of a highrise on Colmore Circus Queensway. The fire has been surrounded and good progress is being made. Please avoid the area. A cordon has been erected from Snow Hill Queensway to Livery Street. This is the section of Colmore Row that is partially closed."

18:15Tim HanlonFire brigade says there is 'significant bus and tram disruption'

People in Birmingham are being warned of major disruption to public transport due to a fire at a high-rise building.

West Midlands Fire Service said that Snow Hill train station was open but there buses and trams are being affected.

It wrote on X: "Snow Hill Train station is open and trains are operating. There is significant bus and tram disruption. Please follow @TransportForWM for public transport updates."

18:08Tim HanlonTram lines 'stopped either side' and "traffic backing up'

A person at the scene has taken to social media to tell of the traffic disruption.

He wrote on X: "Fire in Birmingham, on Colmore Row. Tram lines stopped either side. Traffic backing up. Smoke still coming out the roof but not as bad. Can't see through the glass how deep the fire goes."

18:02KEY EVENTStatement from fire brigade on blaze at high-rise building

The fire brigade says that crews are at the scene with a fire at an office building in Birmingham.

It states: "Colmore Row is closed, as fire crews work to extinguish a fire on the top floor of a highrise on Colmore Circus Queensway. The fire has been surrounded and good progress is being made. Please avoid the area. A cordon has been erected from Snow Hill Queensway to Livery Street. This is the section of Colmore Row that is partially closed."

High-rise building goes up in flames in busy city centre causing travel chaos