Overview
- Multiple fast‑moving wildfires broke out across the West Midlands on Thursday, spreading from dry grassland into towns and forcing mass evacuations and rest centres to open.
- The largest blaze in Stourbridge has left heavy damage with reports of 19 homes completely destroyed and a further 18 properties damaged, and exclusion zones remain in place while crews damp down hotspots.
- Emergency services logged thousands of 999 calls and mobilised more than 100 firefighters overall, with dozens of people treated for smoke and heat effects and roughly 19 hospital admissions reported by ambulance teams.
- Transport and utilities were disrupted when thick smoke closed the M6 between junctions 5 and 6 and Severn Trent warned of possible water supply impacts after hydrant use, highlighting strain on local infrastructure.
- Fire chiefs say the Stourbridge fire likely began in grassland and a joint police and specialist fire investigation has started, while local and national leaders have pledged extra resources and short‑term relief for displaced residents.