- West Midlands Fire Service has confirmed that two devastating fires in Stourbridge on 13 August, which destroyed 19 homes and damaged a further 13 properties across 500 acres, were started accidentally by agricultural machinery.
- The blazes broke out in fields near Racecourse Lane and Quarry Park Road/Worcester Lane, prompting the declaration of a major incident as families were forced to evacuate their homes.
- Six firefighters sustained injuries while tackling the blazes in extremely challenging conditions, with one requiring hospital treatment and five others suffering minor injuries and smoke inhalation.
- A joint investigation by fire investigators and West Midlands Police established that farming equipment was being operated in the vicinity of both fields immediately before the fires were reported.
- Chief fire officer Simon Tuhill offered his sympathies to those facing the loss of their homes and livelihoods, while expressing immense pride in the emergency responders, local farmers, and community members who rallied to help.
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