Two people were injured and multiple houses were set alight as a huge fire tore through homes in Stourbridge, England, on August 13. Around 60 firefighters were called to Racecourse Lane at approximately 1.30pm, with flames ripping through properties and thick black smoke billowing into the air. About six homes were reported to be on fire close to a local golf course.
Firefighters face 'extreme levels of demand'
West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service said it was facing "extreme levels of demand" due to the inferno. In a social media post, the service urged residents to stay safe and minimise the risk of outdoor fires. "If you are directly affected by an ongoing fire, please DO NOT risk tackling it yourself. Get to a safe place and call 999," the post said. Drivers were advised to take extra care, avoid dense smoke, and not to head to areas where fires were taking place to watch.
The fire service reported that flames in Racecourse Lane had spread "across roads in places," with some nearby properties experiencing power outages. Residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed and avoid the area. The fire was said to involve 40 acres, including woodland.
Evacuations and rest centres set up
People were evacuated from their homes, with Stourbridge Town Hall opened as a rest centre and transport provided for those unable to make their own way there. St Michael's Church in Norton also made itself available to provide accommodation where needed. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service responded to another "large fire" in Salford Priors, Stratford-on-Avon, with families urged to keep windows and doors closed.
Councillor Andrew Southall from Dudley Council said: "Residents and care homes are being evacuated and the council have invoked their major incident plan. There are evacuations taking place and Stourbridge Town hall is the respite site. Another site will be set up if need be. The advice is to stay clear of the fire area." He added that care home residents had been safely evacuated to other care homes, and housing support was being prepared for those who lost their homes or had homes damaged.
