West Midlands Ambulance Service has treated more than 50 patients as a result of fires across the region in the past 24 hours, with two of the blazes named Major Incidents. The service issued a statement on August 14 about the serious fires, which occurred in Stourbridge, Willenhall, Oldbury, Hodge Hill, Pershore, Evesham, and Stoke on Trent.
Response to Multiple Fires
Ambulance crews worked alongside other emergency services to provide treatment and care at the scenes. Trust Chief Executive Anthony Marsh praised the response, saying: “Yesterday was an extremely busy day for our crews, responding to a number of serious fires across the region. I want to thank all of our staff for their professionalism and hard work, as well as our colleagues in the fire and police services for the way everyone worked together to help keep people safe. I am immensely proud of my commanders and staff for the way in which they performed their duties.”
Details of the Incidents
In Stourbridge, crews were called to a wildfire on Norton Road at 2.35pm. Multiple resources were sent, including three ambulances, incident commanders, and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team. Six patients were treated; a woman and a boy were taken to Russell’s Hall Hospital with smoke inhalation, while the other four were discharged at the scene. The HART team and Command Vehicle remained at the scene on Friday to support fire service colleagues.
In Willenhall, a garden fire near Thorne Road and Dingle Lane was reported at 4.41pm. One ambulance and two incident commanders attended, discovering the fire had spread to nearby properties. Six patients were treated, all discharged at the scene.
In Oldbury, two fires were reported at 5.02pm, one at Grandhall Golf Course and one near Oakdale Road and Oakdale Close. One ambulance, two incident commanders, and the HART team attended, treating one man for smoke inhalation who was discharged. A property fire on Prince of Wales Lane was reported at 5.24pm, with two ambulances and an incident commander attending. Two patients were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, and two others were discharged.
Further Incidents and Hospital Admissions
In Hodge Hill, a wildfire on Papyrus Way was reported at 6.50pm, with four ambulances, an incident commander, and a HART paramedic attending. Nine patients were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation, and four more were discharged.
In Pershore, a wildfire on Three Springs Road was reported at 4.23pm, with one ambulance, two incident commanders, and a Community First Responder attending. Buildings were also ablaze, and six patients were treated, all discharged.
In Evesham, a fire on School Road was reported at 3.04pm, with four ambulances and three incident commanders attending. Seven patients were assessed, but none required hospital treatment.
In Stoke on Trent, a fire at the junction of Maureen Avenue and Sandy Road was reported at 5.12pm, with four ambulances and three incident commanders attending. Eleven patients were assessed, six taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with smoke inhalation, and five discharged.
Public Warning
Anthony Marsh also warned the public during the hot weather: “With the hot and dry weather we have encountered, we would ask everyone to take extra care and think about the risks before lighting fires or undertaking activities that could cause them. Please also use 999 wisely and only call us when you have a genuine emergency, so our crews can get to those who need us most.”
