Six fire crews were sent to tackle a large grassland fire that broke out at Perry Hall Playing Fields in Birmingham on Sunday 2 August. The blaze erupted in a meadow close to the railway line off Cherry Orchard Road shortly after 12:45pm, and within a short time thick smoke was billowing across the park. West Midlands Fire Service urged members of the public to avoid the area while firefighters worked to bring the flames under control.
Key facts at a glance
- Six crews from West Midlands Fire Service responded to the incident.
- The fire broke out at Perry Hall Playing Fields, Perry Barr, Birmingham.
- It started in a meadow near the railway line off Cherry Orchard Road at around 12:45pm.
- Drone footage captured a large area of grass completely blackened and scorched.
- People were advised to avoid the area while the blaze was being tackled.
Drone footage reveals burnt-out meadow
Dramatic drone footage, captured by a resident who lives on the street, shows the full extent of the destruction. A large section of grass has been left completely blackened and scorched, the fire having swept through the meadow in a matter of minutes. The video, recorded after the initial blaze was largely extinguished, captures fire crews walking across the charred landscape as they check for any remaining hotspots.
The affected area runs parallel to the railway line, and the contrast between the burnt ground and the untouched greenery on either side is stark. From above, the dark scar of the fire is clearly visible, stretching across a significant portion of the field. The footage provides a unique perspective on the incident, showing both the scale of the damage and the proximity of the fire to surrounding infrastructure.
Fire service issues warning to public
In an alert issued earlier, West Midlands Fire Service confirmed that six crews had been dispatched to the scene. "We have six crews in attendance at Perry Avenue, Birmingham, where they have responded to a fire," the service said. "Please avoid the area, where possible."
The warning came as the park was busy with families enjoying the summer weather and with competitors gathering for the European Cycle Speedway 2026 tournament, which was taking place on the opposite side of the playing fields. Many who had seen the smoke column rising above the trees chose to stay away from the affected side of the park.
Families and event spectators keep clear
Perry Hall Playing Fields were bustling on Sunday afternoon, with a range of activities taking place across the expansive site. The European Cycle Speedway 2026 tournament drew a crowd to the far side of the park, while children and families used other parts of the open space. Despite the fire, the event continued on the opposite side, with spectators and organisers keeping well away from the smoke.
Emergency vehicles were parked along the perimeter of the affected area, and firefighters were seen working methodically through the scorched meadow. The fast-moving nature of the grass fire served as a stark reminder of how quickly such incidents can escalate, particularly during dry spells.
Police confirm fire service is leading
West Midlands Police also attended the scene to assist, though it was clear that the fire service was in charge of the operation. A police spokesperson said: "We're liaising with West Midlands Fire Service, but they are leading on this incident."
No further details have been released about how the fire started or whether anyone was injured. The drone footage, which was provided to local media, has since been widely viewed online, highlighting the devastating impact of the blaze on one of Birmingham's popular green spaces. The investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to begin once the site has been fully made safe.
