- An investigation concluded that a devastating grass fire in Sandyford Park, Stoke-on-Trent, which severely damaged four homes in the Goldenhill area, was accidentally caused by a disposable barbecue.
- High wind speeds and extremely dry conditions caused the blaze to spread rapidly, destroying roofs, blowing out windows, and forcing local residents to evacuate to a nearby community centre.
- Four firefighters were taken to hospital due to smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion, with three since discharged and one remaining in hospital for treatment.
- Following several wild blazes across Wales and the West Midlands, a temporary ban on disposable barbecues was announced to prevent further incidents during the ongoing hot weather.
- Station manager Liam Hickey highlighted the severe impact of disposable barbecues and urged the public to adhere to safety rules to protect communities and reduce pressure on emergency services.
IN FULL


