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Apocalyptic Scenes as Heat Fuels West Midlands Fires
14 Aug
Summary
- Multiple homes destroyed by intense fires in the West Midlands.
- A child and three firefighters were hospitalized due to the blazes.
- Extreme heatwave temperatures exacerbated widespread grass fires.
On the hottest day of the year, with temperatures soaring to 38.1C, emergency services battled significant blazes across the West Midlands. In Stourbridge, an "apocalyptic" scene unfolded as extensive grass fires spread rapidly, engulfing multiple homes and necessitating resident evacuations. The severity of the incidents led to a child and three firefighters requiring hospitalization.
Simultaneously, a major wildfire incident was declared in Salford Priors, near Stratford-upon-Avon, where firefighters responded to a large plume of smoke. The extreme heatwave conditions, which prompted an amber extreme heat warning for much of England, are cited as a major factor in the widespread fires.
