- A grass fire started near Stourbridge Golf Club before ripping through residential areas, destroying dozens of homes and prompting widespread evacuations.
- Dudley Council reported that 250 to 300 residents in Stourbridge were evacuated, including three care homes, with 22 care home residents and 19 staff members moved to Old Swinford Hospital boarding school.
- Fire chiefs have warned that emergency service operations in affected areas will continue for days, urging residents to stay away.
- West Midlands Fire Service still has 14 fire engines working across several areas at risk of reigniting, with the situation described as 'vastly improved' but resources will remain at the scene for some time.
- Further blazes in Worcestershire, Staffordshire, and Warwickshire caused power cuts, property damage, and severe traffic delays along the M6.
- A resident, Andrew Reynolds, described his childhood home on Gorleston Road in Highers Heath going up in an 'inferno', stating, 'My mum's lost everything. Absolutely everything. There's nothing saveable.'
- Kim Matthews, who had lived there for 34 years, lost family heirlooms in the loft, including '100 years' worth of photos from the family.'
- The fire started as a grass fire near Stourbridge Golf Club before ripping through residential areas, with around 100 firefighters tackling the blaze.
Wildfires across the West Midlands have wreaked havoc, destroying homes and prompting evacuations. The Stourbridge blaze, which began as a grass fire, has led to significant damage, with 19 people hospitalized and emergency services warning of ongoing operations for days.
Dudley Council reported that 250 to 300 residents were evacuated, including those from care homes. Six or seven homes have been confirmed destroyed, with residents like Andrew Reynolds lamenting the loss of family heirlooms and memories.
Firefighters are battling the flames with around 100 personnel deployed, and fire chief Simon Tuhill described the incident as one of the “most significant” the service has faced. He noted, “The devastation is extensive,” and assured the community that efforts to control the fire would continue.
The fire has also caused power cuts and traffic delays across the region, with emergency services responding to thousands of calls. As operations continue, fire chiefs emphasize the need for residents to stay away from affected areas to ensure safety.
As the situation develops, the community remains on high alert, with fire crews working tirelessly to contain the blazes and prevent further destruction.
“Dudley Council evacuated 250-300 residents, including 22 care home residents and 19 staff moved to Old Swinford Hospital boarding school. A resident, Andrew Reynolds, said his mother Kim Matthews lost '100 years' worth of photos' in the loft of her home on Gorleston Road.”
The Independent
