MULTIPLE houses are on fire and people have been evacuated from their homes following an “extensive” fire in Stourbridge which left two casualties affected by the heat and smoke, West Midlands Fire Service said.
West Midlands Fire Service said it was facing “extreme levels of demand” due to a fire in the Stourbridge area.
Drone footage published by the force showed a heat map of flames threatening to engulf homes in the area as smoke billowed across the town while a child and three firefighters have been taken to hospital.
Stourbridge town hall has been set up as a rescue centre for people who have had to flee their homes.
In a post on social media, the fire service said: “We are currently facing extreme levels of demand as a service, and need your immediate help.
“Wherever you are in the West Midlands, please do whatever you can to stay safe and minimise the risk of outdoor fires.”
“If you are directly affected by an ongoing fire, please DO NOT risk tackling it yourself. Get to a safe place and call 999. We will do our very best to get help to you as soon as we can.
“If you must drive, take extra care if you are driving, avoid areas of dense smoke, and please don’t head to areas where fires are taking place to watch.”
Meanwhile, the M6 northbound near Birmingham has been closed between junction 5 and 6 as a result of smoke from nearby wildfires, with delays of up to two hours.
“Thick smoke is blowing across the carriageway; closures have been implemented for safety reasons,” National Highways West Midlands said.
“Southbound carriageway remains open at this time, however reduced speeds are in place.”
In an update, the highways agency said: “The fire keeps igniting. Fire commander at the scene not happy for M6 to reopened until fire fully extinguished.
“Delays building, 120 mins and 5 miles of congestion.”
Junction 5 is the Castle Bromwich Interchange and junction 6 is Gravelly Hill, also known as Spaghetti Junction.
Elsewhere, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said they are responding to a “large fire” in Salford Priors, Stratford-on-Avon. It urged residents in the area to close all doors and windows.
Police, fire crews and ambulances are at the scene of the wildfire which has been declared a major incident.
