Multiple fires across the West Midlands destroyed homes, forced residents to leave and stretched emergency services on Aug. 13, 2026, as the United Kingdom recorded its highest temperature of the year so far.
Near Stourbridge Golf Course, about 100 firefighters confronted a fast-moving blaze that spread through dry grass and woodland. West Midlands Fire Service said the fire covered roughly 40 acres, had several points of origin and ignited six homes. Smoke spread over Stourbridge and surrounding areas while police evacuated properties backing onto the course.
The ambulance service treated six people at the Stourbridge scene and took two to hospital. Across the wider region, the fire service said a child and three firefighters were among those taken to hospital. Fire chief Simon Tuhill described extensive devastation and said control-room staff received thousands of emergency calls during one of the most significant incidents the service had faced.
Other outbreaks added to the pressure. A fire in Stoke-on-Trent's Goldenhill area led to evacuations, and a resident said four homes were destroyed. In Castle Vale, Birmingham, a woman was seriously injured in a separate blaze. Crews also responded to a large fire off Hillmeads Road in Druids Heath.
In nearby Worcestershire, 30 homes were evacuated after fire broke out at Lancelott Court in Pershore. Several properties were damaged, one person received treatment for smoke inhalation and about 200 homes lost power. Severn Trent Water warned that the fires could disrupt water supplies around the West Midlands.
Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service declared a major incident over a large fire at Salford Priors, near Stratford-upon-Avon. The declaration was lifted by 21:00, although crews remained at the site. Smoke also led authorities to close the northbound M6 between junctions five and six, producing delays of more than two hours.
Residents near Stourbridge described a rapid deterioration in conditions. Jane Baxter, who was evacuated from the Norton Road area, said she first smelled smoke at about 13:15 before seeing flames above rooftops. Another resident, Dave Edwards, said people were advised to wet fences and prepare to leave.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham thanked crews responding to the blazes and expressed concern for injured and displaced people. He said he was communicating with local leaders and planned to speak with emergency services as the response continued.
The available account did not establish the causes of the individual fires. It did, however, place the emergency in exceptionally hot conditions and document simultaneous incidents across several counties. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker called the situation fast-moving, while officials focused on evacuations, firefighting and maintaining essential services.
