A wildfire tore through Stourbridge on Thursday, destroying 19 homes and scorching over 500 acres of land in the West Midlands. The inferno, which officials said was fueled by straw-like grass and tinder-dry woodland on the hottest day of the year with temperatures reaching 38C (100.4F), swept across a golf course and into residential areas.
Firefighting efforts continued on Friday, with pockets of the Stourbridge Golf Course still smoldering. The fire service indicated that the operation could last for weeks to ensure the ground is thoroughly dampened and prevent any recurrence. Residents described the scene as apocalyptic, with flames reportedly raging in every direction.
Paul McVeigh, a retired telecoms engineer, watched in horror as the blaze approached his home on Melrose Avenue. While his house was spared, his garden was extensively damaged. He noted the fire's rapid spread, stating, "It was like somebody had poured flammable liquid onto the floor. It was going in every direction."
Other residents also recounted harrowing experiences. Stella Layton, 65, described seeing flames come over the top of her building and hearing what she initially mistook for fireworks but realized were explosions from the burning houses. She managed to protect her property by dousing her garden with water before evacuating.
Emergency services treated 68 people, with 25 taken to hospital, including a child and six firefighters. Scores of residents were forced to evacuate their homes. The destruction extended to luxury properties on Ounty John Lane, some valued up to £1.4 million, which were gutted by the fire, along with high-end vehicles.
Questions have been raised about the fire's origin. A relative of the landowner where the fire is believed to have started suggested it may have been deliberately set in three different locations, making an accidental cause unlikely. However, West Midlands Fire Service stated that at this early stage, they did not wish to blame any particular groups, acknowledging that A-level students celebrating results might have been responsible.
Some residents expressed frustration regarding the management of trees on the Stourbridge Golf Club bordering their properties, suggesting they had become a fire hazard. They indicated that the golf club had not taken responsibility for the overgrown vegetation. Stourbridge Golf Club stated they take such requests seriously and conduct assessments following any communication received.
Farmers also attempted to create firebreaks using tractors and water, but the intensity of the blaze proved too much. The fire started on a farmer's cousin's land, and it was noted that this was the second fire in a matter of weeks in the area. The previous fire was attributed to a spark from a combine harvester.