A child and three firefighters have been taken to hospital as fires tore through homes in the West Midlands, where a local councillor described the scene as “apocalyptic”.
On the hottest day of the year, with temperatures soaring to 38.1C in Kew Gardens, more than 100 firefighters were tackling huge fires in the Stourbridge and Stratford-upon-Avon areas.
At Stourbridge golf course, an “extensive grass fire” spread across roads in places with people urged to stay indoors.
West Midlands Fire Service said that multiple houses caught fire and people were evacuated from their homes. The organisation said a child and three firefighters were taken to hospital.
Councillor Andrew Tromans, who represents Wollaston and Stourbridge Town on Dudley Borough Council, described the scene of the fire in Stourbridge as “apocalyptic”.
Meanwhile, in Stratford-upon-Avon a major incident was declared at the scene of a wildfire. Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service were called at 2.30pm to reports of a large plume of smoke on Tothall Lane, Salford Priors.
The Met Office has issued an amber extreme heat warning for much of England, covering parts of the south and east, as well as swathes of the Midlands.
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Key Points
- One child and three firefighters taken to hospital in Stourbridge
- Six houses impacted by fire in Stourbridge
- Where are the fires taking place
- Major incident declared at fire in Stratford
Councillor describes 'apocalyptic' scenes
08:16 , Rebecca WhittakerCouncillor Andrew Tromans, who represents Wollaston and Stourbridge Town on Dudley Borough Council, described the scene of the fire in Stourbridge as “apocalyptic”.
In a statement on Facebook, he said: “The apocalyptic scenes in Norton and across Stourbridge are sadly just a taste of what is to come if we don't act.
“Please do all you can to support the emergency services whilst they do their vital work.
“It is my view, and it has been for a while, that Dudley Councillors must have an emergency meeting about we protect our borough from the impacts of climate change.
“I want to see all parties get behind this.”
Pictured: Houses and land left burnt after wildfire
08:00 , Rebecca Whittaker
How areas across the Midlands have been hit by wildfires
07:50 , Rebecca WhittakerAreas across the West Midlands have been hit by the affects of wildfire.
- In Worcestershire, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said a number of homes had been damaged and 30 properties were evacuated in Pershore following a large fire on Lancelott Court. The fire service said one person was treated for smoke inhalation following the incident at about 4.30pm, and about 200 homes in the area were left without power.
- In Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, another blaze hit “a small number of properties and gardens” in the Goldenhill area of the city.
- Severn Trent Water warned of disruption to water supply across the West Midlands as a result of the wildfires.
- The company said customers in Kidsgrove, near Stoke-on-Trent, may experience lower pressure and discoloured water because firefighters needed to use hydrants.
- In Warwickshire, the county’s fire and rescue service said it was responding to a “large fire” in Salford Priors, Stratford-upon-Avon, which has been declared a major incident.
- Wildfires forced the closure of the M6 northbound between junctions five and six – causing more than two hours of delays.
West Midlands fire crews are 'making progress'
07:36 , Rebecca WhittakerFire crews are making progress tackling huge blazes in the West Midlands that led to thousands of 999 calls and caused “extensive” devastation, a fire chief said.
Chief fire officer Simon Tuhill, of West Midlands Fire Service, said one huge blaze in Stourbridge, which forced some people to flee after it started tearing through homes, was “one of the most significant” incidents the region’s fire service has ever dealt with.
An update from West Midlands Fire Service on Friday morning said crews were “making progress” and “tactically working across several different areas of the site”.
Watch: Stourbridge residents scramble with buckets to douse fire hotspots
07:27 , Rebecca WhittakerICYMI: Burnham thanks emergency services over 'awful' fires
07:22 , Joe MiddletonAndy Burnham said he was in touch with local leaders in the West Midlands as firefighters continue to bring several wildfires in the region under control.
He said in a statement: “Awful to see homes and communities hit by fires across the country tonight as the heatwave continues.
“My thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those who have been injured or forced from their homes, and with the firefighters who have been taken to hospital.
“I’m in touch with local leaders (including West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker) and will be speaking to emergency services on the ground as they continue their response.
“Our firefighters are working in incredibly difficult conditions and putting themselves at risk to keep others safe. A huge thank you to them and everyone supporting the effort tonight.
“Please stay safe and follow their advice.”
Recap: West Midlands hit by fires on hottest day of the year
06:30 , Alex RossHuge blazes across the West Midlands led to “apocalyptic” scenes and led to thousands of 999 calls, a fire chief has said.
One of the fires, in Stourbridge, left “extensive” devastation and was “one of the most significant” incidents West Midlands Fire Service has ever dealt with.
Three members of fire service personnel and one child had been taken to hospital, while six members of the public were treated for smoke inhalation.
Many were also forced to flee after blazes tore through their homes on the UK’s hottest day of the year.
Also, a major blaze in nearby Pershore, Worcestershire, damaged a number of houses and forced the evacuation of 30 properties as temperatures rose across the UK.
And in Goldenhill area of Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, emergency crews tackled a separate incident that struck "a small number of properties and gardens".
'It's hard to breathe', resident says on fire
04:30 , Alex RossResident Phillip Jones, who lives close to where the fire in Stourbridge has taken hold, told Sky News: “We noticed the smoke about one o’clock this afternoon, coming back from an orthodontist appointment and it just got thicker and thicker.
“It was quite hard to breathe, actually, when we left the car, getting to the home. I am at home and have locked up all the windows.
“There has been a steady stream of fire engines, police cars, helicopters above. A number of roads have been closed, a number of our friends have been evacuated from their homes.
“We have the golf course and then the cricket club between us and the fire. So, at the moment, we have grab bags by the door, ready to leave if we have to leave, but it hasn’t come to that yet, thankfully for us.”
Warning over water supply in West Midlands
03:30 , Alex RossSevern Trent Water has warned of disruption to water supply across the West Midlands region as firefighters continue to battle wildfires.
In Kidsgrove, near Stoke-On-Trent, the utility said because fire services needed to use hydrants, customers may experience lower water pressure and discoloured water.
In a statement on its website about the current situation across the West Midlands, the company said: “We’re aware of the ongoing fire incidents in our region and are on site supporting emergency services as they respond.
“Our teams are assisting emergency responders and carrying out checks on our assets in the area to ensure they remain safe and operating as expected.
“We understand this will be concerning for local residents and would like to reassure customers that we are working closely with the emergency services and providing any support required.
“Some customers in the area may experience lower water pressure, no water supply or discoloured water while emergency services continue their response.”
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank customers for their patience while the incident is ongoing.”
Wildfires are 'one of the most significant' incidents regional fire service has dealt wtih
02:30 , Alex RossThe wildfires across the West Midlands have been “one of the most significant” incidents the region’s fire service has ever dealt with, chief fire officer Simon Tuhill said.
He told a press conference on Thursday evening: “This has been one of the most significant incidents that West Midlands Fire Service has ever attended.
“The devastation is extensive.
“We understand the impact that will have on the residents and the local community.
“We want to reassure everyone: we will do everything we can to minimise that and, of course, get people back into their homes.
“However, it is the case that the emergency service presence here will likely run in two days and that means, unfortunately, asking people to stay away for that period.”
Investigation begins on how fire started in Stourbridge
01:30 , Alex RossAn investigation into how the fire in Stourbridge started will be carried out, the region’s fire chief Simon Tuhill has said.
Asked by a reporter at the scene of the blaze how the fire started, he said: “At this stage, too early to say.
“Of course, we will carry out a joint investigation with police colleagues and our specialist fire investigation team.
“They will be here on scene as soon as they can to start investigating the possible cause.”
Asked by another reporter where the Stourbridge fire started, he added: “We think at this moment the fire started not in one of the homes and spread to the fields, but from the grassland and into the homes.”
In pictures: Firefighters battle flames in Stourbridge
Friday 14 August 2026 00:30 , Alex Ross
Burnham thanks emergency services over 'awful' fires
Thursday 13 August 2026 23:45 , Alex RossAndy Burnham said he was in touch with local leaders in the West Midlands as firefighters continue to bring several wildfires in the region under control.
He said in a statement: “Awful to see homes and communities hit by fires across the country tonight as the heatwave continues.
“My thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those who have been injured or forced from their homes, and with the firefighters who have been taken to hospital.
“I’m in touch with local leaders (including West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker) and will be speaking to emergency services on the ground as they continue their response.
“Our firefighters are working in incredibly difficult conditions and putting themselves at risk to keep others safe. A huge thank you to them and everyone supporting the effort tonight.
“Please stay safe and follow their advice.”
Public told to only call 999 'where absolutely necessary'
Thursday 13 August 2026 23:09 , Alex RossThe public should only call 999 “where absolutely necessary” as emergency services are tackling fires across the West Midlands, a police chief has said.
West Midlands Police incident commander Chief Inspector Tom Clayton told a press conference on Thursday evening: “From a police perspective, we are going to do our best, I’d like to reassure the community of Stourbridge and the wider West Midlands.
“We’re going to do our absolute best to service their business-as-usual policing needs.
“However, as you can understand, we are experiencing very, very high demand assisting our colleagues in this multi-agency response”.
Burnham kept informed on wildfires in West Midlands
Thursday 13 August 2026 22:27 , Alex RossWest Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said he had spoken to Andy Burnham, who had pledged the fire and rescue services in the region would get any additional support they requested.
Mr Parker told Sky News: “Our plan is to visit the area tomorrow to speak to some people on the ground there.
“I don’t want to get in the way of the important work going on this evening, but I want them to know they have my full support, and I’ll be working with the local authorities and others across the region to see what we can do to support them at this really difficult time.
“I would also like to convey a message to them from the prime minister, who I spoke to earlier this evening, but has asked me if the fire service on the ground needs additional support, and I’ll be speaking to the chief officer a bit later, to ask him what we can do.
Fire service in West Midlands takes 'thousands of 999 calls'
Thursday 13 August 2026 22:11 , Alex RossWest Midlands Fire Service has dealt with “thousands of 999 calls” as more than 100 firefighters battled blazes across the region, chief fire officer Simon Tuhill has said.
He told a press conference on Thursday evening: “This is a large and complex incident that has occurred on one of the hottest days of the year.
“Our fire control team have been dealing with thousands of 999 calls, whilst coordinating attendance at other operational incidents across the West Midlands.
“The tinder-dry conditions that the country and the West Midlands are facing at the moment has meant that the fire has spread rapidly, despite the hundred-plus firefighters’ best efforts who are on scene and in attendance.
“Rest assured, they are doing everything they can to bring this incident to a safe conclusion.”
'It's shocking' - Resident in Stourbridge reacts to fire
Thursday 13 August 2026 21:39 , Alex RossIn Stourbridge a man, who declined to be named, said: “At about two o’clock I was working from home.
“I saw smoke come down and it was already at the corner of Racecourse Lane and Norton Road. It’s shocking.”
Several homes nearby had been damaged, including two which could still be seen smouldering near the brow of a nearby hill.
What we know so far about the fires across the West Midlands
Thursday 13 August 2026 21:30 , Alex RossStourbridge
West Midlands Fire Service said six houses were affected by the large blaze in Stourbridge, which is estimated to cover 40 acres of land, including a wood.
Wollaston and Stourbridge town councillor Andrew Southall said care home residents have been evacuated alongside others as a result of the fire near Stourbridge golf course.
About 60 firefighters attended the scene after being alerted to the blaze at about 1.30pm.
Stratford-upon-Avon
In nearby Warwickshire, the county’s fire and rescue service said it is responding to a “large fire” in Salford Priors, Stratford-Upon-Avon, which has been declared a major incident.
Police, fire crews and ambulances are at the scene of the wildfire.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 2.30pm on Thursday to reports of smoke on Tothall Lane in Salford Priors.
Stoke-on-Trent
In Stoke-on-Trent, north of Birmingham, fire has hit “a small number of properties and gardens”.
Crews from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue are on the scene of the blaze in the Goldenhill area.
Pershore
Residents have been evacuated after homes were damaged as a blaze hit Pershore, where around 200 properties are without power and a person has suffered smoke inhalation.
Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said emergency services were called out at around 4.30pm on Thursday to deal with “a large” fire on Lancelott Court, off Three Springs Road.
Scene of fire in Stourbridge 'apocalyptic' - local councillor says
Thursday 13 August 2026 21:20 , Alex RossCouncillor Andrew Tromans, who represents Wollaston and Stourbridge Town on Dudley Borough Council, described the scene of the fire in Stourbridge as “apocalyptic”.
In a statement on Facebook, he said: “The apocalyptic scenes in Norton and across Stourbridge are sadly just a taste of what is to come if we don’t act.”
He added: “It is my view, and it has been for a while, that Dudley councillors must have an emergency meeting about we protect our borough from the impacts of climate change.”
200 homes without power in Pershore, Worcestershire
Thursday 13 August 2026 21:02 , Alex RossResidents have been evacuated after homes were damaged by fire in Pershore, Worcestershire, where around 200 properties are without power and a person has suffered smoke inhalation.
Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said emergency services were called out at around 4.30pm on Thursday to deal with “a large” fire on Lancelott Court, off Three Springs Road.
A spokesman said: “One person has been treated for smoke inhalation. Thankfully no other injuries have been reported at this time.
“A number of homes have been damaged and 30 properties in the area have been evacuated.”
Residents in the wider area have been told to keep windows and doors closed as a precaution and surrounding roads have been temporarily shut.
The spokesman said “approximately 200 properties are currently without power”, adding: “We recognise this will be an upsetting time for the local community and would like to thank you for your patience and cooperation while we respond to the incident.”
Residents use watering cans and buckets of water to dampen down smouldering fields
Thursday 13 August 2026 21:00 , Alex RossSeveral homes in Stourbridge were severely damaged by fire, with a smouldering section of adjoining fields being damped down on Thursday night by worried homeowners carrying water in buckets and watering cans.
Fire crews could also be seen hosing down hedgerows and bushes near damaged homes close to the junction with Fairways Avenue.
One local resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “The fire came within feet of the other side of the road.
“It has been terrible for those who have had their property destroyed but it was terrifying for everyone.
“It was all the way across the fields in no time at all. It was hard to believe it was happening.”
