Huge fires start tearing through homes in West Midlands

Huge fires have started tearing through homes in the West Midlands after dramatic footage circulating online showed enormous flames coming from buildings and a golf course.The “extensive grass fire” follows scorching temperatures across the region and other parts of the UK.The fire service said six houses are affected by the blaze and the incident is estimated to involve about 40 acres of land, including a wood.Care home residents have also been evacuated alongside others as a result of the fire, Wollaston & Stourbridge Town councillor Andrew Southall said.Around 60 firefighters attended the scene near Stourbridge golf course after being alerted to the blaze at around 1.30pm.Residents across the West Midlands are being urged to stay indoors amid two major fires in the region (West Midlands Fire Service/PA)PA MediaFootage circulating on social media showed multiple buildings on fire and huge plumes of smoke coming from a nearby field.The fire service said flames were spreading “across roads in places”, with people urged to stay indoors.Drone footage published by the force showed a heat map of flames threatening to engulf homes in the area as smoke billowed across the town.Stourbridge town hall has been set up as a rescue centre for people who have had to flee their homes.In a post on social media, the fire service said: “We are currently facing extreme levels of demand as a service, and need your immediate help.Read More“Wherever you are in the West Midlands, please do whatever you can 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.“We will do our very best to get help to you as soon as we can.“If you must drive, take extra care if you are driving, avoid areas of dense smoke, and please don’t head to areas where fires are taking place to watch.”A heat map of flames threatening to engulf homes (West Midlands Fire Service/PA)PA MediaIt urged residents in the area to close all doors and windows.Police, fire crews and ambulances are at the scene of the wildfire which has been declared a major incident.