At least six homes have been destroyed by a wildfire in Stourbridge, West Midlands, as 11 blazes broke out across the region on Thursday. Four people have been taken to hospital, and trains have been suspended amid what the fire service described as “extreme levels of demand”.
Homes evacuated after blaze near golf course
The fire began as a grass fire near Stourbridge Golf Course on Thursday afternoon, with crews alerted at 1.30pm. Around 60 firefighters are at the scene, and residents have been evacuated from their homes.
West Midlands Fire Service said it had received over 1,000 calls when the incidents initially broke out. Chief fire officer Simon Tuhill described the fire as the “most extensive” his crews have ever dealt with.
Child injured and hospitalisations reported
A child was injured in Stourbridge, and at least four people have been rushed to hospital as emergency services are pushed to their limits. The fires follow the hottest day of the year, which has contributed to the spread of the blazes.
Stourbridge, the hometown of England footballer Jude Bellingham, is one of the worst-hit areas. An evacuation order has been issued, urging residents to leave their homes as the fire continues to burn.
