A wildfire that tore through Stourbridge, destroying 19 homes and damaging 18 others, may have been started by A-level students burning their notebooks, according to a theory circulating online. The claim emerged as a TikTok trend swept the platform, showing Year 13 students lighting barbecues and burning notepads after receiving their exam scores.
Investigation considers TikTok trend
West Midlands Fire Service said the rumours were being considered and had been shared with fire crews, who had so far not found direct evidence to support the theory. However, they said they remain open minded about the individual causes of blazes.
A spokesman told the Birmingham Mail: "At this stage we would not want to blame young people or any particular groups of people but our investigations are at an early stage."
Scale of destruction
The "apocalyptic" scenes in Stourbridge saw flames rip across 500 acres in the West Midlands, injuring 10 people, including three firefighters and a child on Thursday. Families have revealed they have "lost everything" in the blaze, with one resident describing it as "like a disaster movie".
West Midlands Fire Service said the ongoing blaze near a golf course in an area where houses average £1 million is "one of the most significant" incidents they had ever dealt with.
Government response
Prime Minister Andy Burnham today banned disposable barbecues in an emergency package of measures to stop wildfires. The Government has issued a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues as they pose a "significant risk to the public".
Mr Burnham told reporters in Stourbridge: "Britain is a tinderbox right now... This is not over by any means. We've got 37 fires smouldering around the country, so it could be more. So please bear that in mind at all times."
He added: "We ask retailers to implement the ban in full until further notice."
