Multiple homes on fire in Stourbridge on hottest day of year

A major fire has ripped through homes in Stourbridge in the West Midlands on the hottest day of the year so far. Terrifying images showed flames and plumes of smoke rising from the homes after a grass fire broke out near a golf course and spread to the properties. More than 60 firefighters were tackling the blaze. West Midlands Fire Service said it was facing “extreme levels of demand” due to the raging inferno, which it described as an “extensive grass fire”. Multiple houses are on fire and people have been evacuated from their homes. The fire service said flames were spreading “across roads in places”, and has urged people to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors closed.A major incident has also been declared because of a large fire in Stratford-on-Avon, in Warwickshire. The blazes come on the hottest day of the year after temperatures provisionally reached 38.1C at Kew Gardens in London. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said police, fire crews and ambulances have rushed to the scene of the second blaze in Salford Prior. An aerial view of the fire in Stourbridge (Photo: West Midlands Fire Service/ SWNS) A heat map shows the flames spreading across homes in Stourbridge (Photo: West Midlands Fire Service) Residents across the West Midlands are being urged to stay indoors and close all doors and windows. Drone footage shared by the West Midlands Fire Service included a heat map of the flames in the area as smoke billowed across the town. Stourbridge town hall has been set up as a 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. West Midlands Fire Service said it was facing “extreme levels of demand” due to the blaze in Stourbridge (Photo: Sky Newsscreengrab) “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.” This breaking news story is being updated. EXPLORE MORE ON THE TOPICS IN THIS STORY