Smoke from the grassfire engulfs homes and woodland near Stourbridge. Photograph: West Midlands fire service/AFP/Getty ImagesSmoke from the grassfire engulfs homes and woodland near Stourbridge. Photograph: West Midlands fire service/AFP/Getty ImagesSeveral homes ablaze as firefighters try to contain West Midlands grassfireAbout 60 crew responding to blaze covering about 16 hectares near Stourbridge golf course
Several homes were ablaze and two people were receiving treatment as firefighters attempted to contain a grassfire in the West Midlands on Thursday.
The region’s fire service was alerted to an extensive grassfire near Stourbridge golf course just before 1.30pm on Thursday.
About 60 firefighters were responding to the blaze covering about 16 hectares (40 acres).
“Some local rail services have been stopped for safety reasons,” a fire service spokesperson said.
An aerial view of the West Midlands fire. Photograph: West Midlands fire service/AFP/Getty ImagesImages released by the fire service showed 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 problems.
Stourbridge town hall was opened up to receive those forced to leave their homes.
A heat map shows flames threatening to engulf homes in the Stourbridge area. Photograph: West Midlands fire service/PA“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, a 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 above.
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