A fire that broke out in a bin room at a block of flats in Harborne has left residents without electricity for three hours and forced all nine households to seek temporary accommodation. The blaze, believed to be accidental, started at approximately 9.22am on the Chamberlain Park estate, cutting off power to every property within a 200-metre radius.
Geoff Tedstone, a 73-year-old retired accountant, was evacuated from his home without time to put on his shoes. Speaking to BirminghamLive, he described the scene: “The alarms went off and the hallways were full of smoke. I didn’t have time to put my shoes on.”
Residents Praise Fire Service Response
Mr Tedstone praised the West Midlands Fire Service, saying they arrived quickly and were “excellent”. He noted that a neighbour had called the fire brigade, and that firefighters “took great care of everyone and couldn’t do enough”.
He has been told that alternative accommodation is being arranged, but he intends to remain in his flat as long as it is safe. “They said that’s my decision, my choice. I’ve got everything at hand,” he said, adding that he has “plenty of books and a torch” to keep himself occupied.
Fire Details and Impact
Oldbury Station Commander Darryll Darkin explained that the fire started in a bin room at Chamberlain Court, where the electrical meters for the block are located. “The electrical meters for the block are in the bin room and all were affected,” he said.
All residents of the nine flats will need temporary rehousing, and every property within a 200-metre radius will have no electricity for three hours. No injuries were reported. The fire service is scaling down its response and leaving the matter with National Grid, which will handle the power restoration.
“We believe it was accidental,” Darkin added. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but initial indications point to an accident.
Residents affected by the power cut are advised to make arrangements for the three-hour outage, and those in the nine flats should prepare for temporary accommodation as advised by the fire service and local authorities.
