A Stourbridge resident has described the terrifying moment a fire "jumped the railway" towards her home, as a major wildfire that began at Stourbridge Golf Club destroyed at least six homes and forced families to evacuate.
The blaze ripped through the town on Thursday, August 13, and fire crews remained at the scene on Friday, August 14, dampening down hotspots. Six people were treated by medics for smoke inhalation, and a woman and a boy were taken to hospital for further treatment.
Residents recount terrifying escape
A woman who was evacuated from her home told BlackCountryLive that the fire "jumped the railway" moments before they were forced to flee. She is currently staying at a Premier Inn hotel and does not yet know when she will be able to return home.
Another local resident, Shirley, said she woke up to her home smelling of smoke. "The bungalow I live in just stinks of smoke," she said. "I got up this morning and it still smells like smoke."
One local man, who gave his name as Dave, said: "It happened very quickly. We smelt smoke but thankfully didn't have to evacuate. It seems under control now so the fire service have done a great job."
Councillor warns of climate change impact
Cllr Andrew Tromans, who represents Wollaston and Stourbridge Town on Dudley Borough Council, described the scenes as "apocalyptic." He added: "The apocalyptic scenes in Norton and across Stourbridge are sadly just a taste of what is to come if we don't act."
He went on to say: "It is my view, and it has been for a while, that Dudley councillors must have an emergency meeting about how we protect our borough from the impacts of climate change."
Fire service update and donation plea
In an update shared this morning, a spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service asked that no more donations be given to firefighters. They said: "Work continues at several areas across the Stourbridge wildfire incident. Hotspots continue to be extinguished on open grassland, along the railway embankment and in gardens."
Resources are split across Quarry Park Road (and adjoining roads), Ounty John Lane, Racecourse Lane, Norton Road, Worcester Lane, Mount Rose Drive, and Stourbridge Golf Course. The spokesperson added: "Our priorities remain the same: to damp down affected areas, extinguish hotspots and prevent further fire spread."
They thanked everyone who had donated food, drinks and other resources to emergency services staff at the scene, but said: "We are now at capacity. Please don't travel to the area to make donations, and please, continue to respect any police cordons while we work at this incident."
They also asked drone users not to fly over the site: "We must also ask any users to not fly their drones across the site while we work. Police and Fire Service drones are being utilised across a large area, and are providing critical intelligence to crews who are identifying areas we need to work in. We need the skies clear to do this work – thank you for your understanding."
Those who were evacuated do not yet know when they will be allowed to return to their homes, or the extent of the damage.
