Homes alight as fires rage across the West Midlands

Jack Hardwick · August 13, 2026 · 1 min read

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20:27

Jack Hardwick

Fire's keeping Ambulance Crews Busy

Fires across the West Midlands have been keeping ambulance crews busy, with emergency teams responding to several incidents in recent days. Crews have attended people suffering from injuries and the effects of smoke inhalation, while also working alongside firefighters and police officers at the scenes. The incidents have highlighted the demanding nature of emergency services work and the importance of staying safe around fires, particularly during periods of hot and dry weather.

20:03

Jack Hardwick

The fire in Stourbridge has sent a thick column of smoke into the sky, making the incident visible from aircraft flying over the area. The blaze has attracted attention from people on the ground and in the air, with the smoke rising high above the surrounding buildings. Emergency services were called to deal with the fire, while residents were urged to keep a safe distance from the area.

The sight of the smoke from planes highlights how large and intense the fire has become. The incident has caused concern among local residents, who have been watching the developing situation from nearby. Firefighters are working to bring the blaze under control and ensure the surrounding area remains safe while investigations into the cause of the fire continue.

19:46

Jack Hardwick

Multiple fires' in Druids Heath and Kings Norton area

West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service says crews are currently responding to "multiple fires across the local area", including incidents at The Dell in Druids Heath and along Hillmeads Road in Kings Norton.

"Crews are on site managing the situations. Emergency services are advising all residents living nearby to keep their windows and doors firmly closed to avoid smoke inhalation," a spokesperson said.

"People are also being asked to avoid both areas where possible to allow emergency vehicles clear access to the scenes."

19:27

Jack Hardwick

M6 Northbound has now reopened

The M6 has now reopened northbound between junctions five and six, although there are delays of about two-and-a-half hours for drivers stuck in that traffic, National Highways said.

Earlier, the organisation said the carriageway would not reopen until the fire commander at the scene was happy the blaze was out.

Homes have been left alight as fast-moving fires swept across parts of the West Midlands on Thursday, with firefighters battling major blazes amid record-breaking heat. In Stourbridge, flames spread rapidly from grassland into residential areas, with several properties reportedly caught in the inferno and around 70 firefighters tackling the blaze. Residents were urged to stay indoors because of thick smoke, while emergency services dealt with another major fire in Warwickshire.

The fires come as the UK experiences its hottest day of 2026, with temperatures reaching a provisional 38.1°C at Kew Gardens. Dry conditions and prolonged heat have created dangerous wildfire conditions across the country, putting further pressure on emergency services. West Midlands Fire Service reported an extensive fire in Stourbridge among Thursday's incidents, as communities across the region were warned to take extreme care while the heatwave continues.

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Fire's keeping Ambulance Crews Busy

Multiple fires' in Druids Heath and Kings Norton area

M6 Northbound has now reopened

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