A woman has been taken to hospital with burns after a fierce blaze described as "double the size" of a two-storey house tore through at least six gardens in Tamworth. The fire, which sent flames around 50 feet high, broke out during the scorching 36C heatwave and destroyed several garden sheds, prompting a large emergency response.
Blaze Erupts on Price Avenue
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called at 10.30am on Thursday 13 August to Price Avenue following reports of smoke billowing from the area. Six fire appliances attended the scene and found six gardens, including sheds and hedges, well alight. Crews used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.
One woman was admitted to hospital after sustaining burns. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing at this stage, according to the fire service. An investigation into the cause of the fire will take place in due course.
Eyewitness Describes Chaos
Kirsty Harper, 39, who runs a doggie day care from her property in the neighbourhood, said she had "a house full of dogs" when the fire erupted. Speaking through Sell Us Your Story, she described seeing smoke coming over her garden and hearing a lady shout "your shed's on fire".
She said: "I noticed a layer of smoke coming over my garden and I could smell smoke - I looked out to the back garden and I could see all of this smoke. I could see a lady shouting 'your shed's on fire' but I didn't know which property it was coming from."
Kirsty went out to warn neighbours, including elderly residents, and knocked on the door of the property where the garden was directly on fire. She said: "They came to the door and I said 'your garden's on fire!' They didn't realise because they were painting in the living room."
Partner Praises Firefighters
Her partner, Richard, described the blaze as "double the size of our two storey house - so you are talking around 50ft flames". He added: "Myself and Kirsty thought the emergency services did an amazing job and need recognition."
Kirsty dashed to her mum's house close by to rescue her dogs while her mother was away. However, about 10 minutes after her departure, she revealed: "Her garden was completely on fire, she lost two sheds in her garden."
The incident comes amid a host of major fires across the West Midlands during the record-breaking heatwave. Fire crews throughout the UK have been tackling multiple wildfires as temperatures soared.
Fire Service Statement in Full
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service issued a statement saying: "Firefighters have extinguished a large fire involving around six gardens in Tamworth. We were called at 10.30am today (Thursday 13 August) to Price Avenue following reports of smoke coming from the area. Six appliances attended the scene and found six gardens including sheds and hedges well alight. Crews used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire. One woman has been taken to hospital after suffering burns. Her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing at this time. An investigation into the cause of the fire will take place in due course."
