Several fires across the West Midlands have destroyed homes, forced widespread evacuations and left multiple people injured, as emergency teams faced extreme demand on what authorities said was the hottest day of the year.
Fire services reported a string of separate incidents across the region, with the largest blaze near Stourbridge Golf Course consuming around 40 acres of grassland and woodland and leading to about 100 firefighters being deployed. West Midlands Fire Service said the Stourbridge fire had “several points of origin” and that six homes were affected there.
Among those taken to hospital were a child and three firefighters, as crews dealt with fast-moving fires that spread rapidly through dry ground and vegetation. In Stoke-on-Trent, residents reported that four homes were destroyed, while in Castle Vale, Birmingham, one woman suffered serious injuries after a house blaze.
“The large number of fires on Thursday [is] an extremely worrying and fast-moving situation,”
the region's mayor described the scale and suddenness of the incidents.
Evacuations, power losses and local alerts
Police and fire crews issued evacuation orders for neighbourhoods that backed onto the worst-affected areas. In Pershore, Worcestershire, a large fire in Lancelott Court led to several homes being damaged and about 30 people being evacuated; one person was treated for smoke inhalation. Firefighters said roughly 200 homes nearby experienced power interruptions as a consequence.
A separate major incident was declared by Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service after a large fire at Tothall Lane, Salford Priors, near Alcester. Residents in that area were advised to avoid the vicinity and to keep windows and doors shut while crews worked.
In Stoke-on-Trent's Goldenhill area, local accounts said multiple properties were lost to flames. In Sandyford, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service evacuated a small number of homes on Sandy Road. Elsewhere in Birmingham, a substantial fire in Druids Heath, off Hillmeads Road, added to the demands on crews.
Scale of response and immediate consequences
West Midlands Fire Service confirmed crews were stretched, responding to a series of largely separate incidents that escalated quickly across different districts. Witnesses in Stourbridge described thick smoke and flames visible above rooftops; one resident who was evacuated said people were told to wet fences and prepare to flee as the fire advanced.
Below is a concise summary of the main incidents and immediate impacts reported by emergency services and residents:
- Stourbridge (near golf course) – about 40 acres affected, roughly 100 firefighters deployed, six homes affected.
- Stoke-on-Trent (Goldenhill/Sandyford) – multiple homes destroyed; several evacuated.
- Castle Vale, Birmingham – homes badly damaged; one woman seriously injured.
- Pershore, Worcestershire – large fire in Lancelott Court; around 30 evacuated, one treated for smoke inhalation, about 200 homes lost power.
- Salford Priors, Warwickshire – major incident declared; public told to avoid area and keep windows and doors closed.
| Location | Reported impact | Injuries / Evacuations |
|---|---|---|
| Stourbridge | ~40 acres of grass/woodland involved; six homes affected | Crews deployed (~100 firefighters) |
| Stoke-on-Trent | Several homes destroyed | Residents evacuated |
| Castle Vale, Birmingham | Homes badly damaged | One woman seriously injured |
| Pershore, Worcestershire | Homes damaged; local power disruption | ~30 evacuated; one treated for smoke inhalation |
| Salford Priors, Warwickshire | Large fire; major incident declared | Area advised to avoid; keep windows and doors shut |
Emergency services warned the public to follow local guidance and to report any fires promptly. Crews remain on scene at multiple locations as investigations and damping-down work continue.
The cluster of blazes across the West Midlands came as the UK experienced unusually hot conditions, a factor emergency teams said increased the speed at which the fires developed and the level of demand on resources.
Authorities did not disclose the cause of the fires while investigations were ongoing. Local police and fire services continue to coordinate responses, prioritising the safety of residents and the protection of remaining properties.
