Four taken to hospital and homes damaged in West Midlands fires

Several homes are ablaze and two people are receiving treatment as firefighters attempt to contain a grassfire in the West Midlands.

The region’s fire service was alerted to an extensive grassfire near Stourbridge golf course just before 1.30pm on Thursday.

About 60 firefighters are responding to the blaze covering about 40 acres.

“Some local rail services have been stopped for safety reasons,” a fire service spokesperson said.

Images released by the fire service show the fire spreading into nearby woodland and homes.

The fire service spokesperson said two people had been affected by heat and smoke, but did not give details about their condition.

Six homes were directly affected by the blaze, and others in the area reported power issues.

Stourbridge town hall has been set up to receive those fleeing their homes.

“Transport is also being arranged for those who can’t make their own way,” West Midlands fire service said in a social media post.

“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.”

Care-home residents have also been evacuated as a result of the fire, the local councillor Andrew Southall said.

The UK recorded its hottest day of the year on Thursday, with the Met Office giving a provisional reading of 38.1C (100.6F) at Kew Gardens in west London.

Forty locations across central and southern England recorded temperatures of 36C or higher.