Two wildfires which destroyed 19 homes in Stourbridge were started accidentally in fields where agricultural machinery was being used, fire chiefs revealed today.
The huge blazes spread over more than 500 acres in the West Midlands on August 13, destroying a series of properties including family homes worth over £1million.
One firefighter was taken to hospital and a further five suffered minor injuries including smoke inhalation as the blazes rapidly spread to residential buildings.
Some residents had to be evacuated after a further 18 homes were damaged on top of the 19 that were destroyed during what was Britain’s hottest day of the year.
Fire crews were alerted to the first blaze in a field near Racecourse Lane at 1.27pm, then a second began soon after in a field near Quarry Park Road and Worcester Lane.
Local farmers ploughed fields next to houses, which prevented the blazes from spreading to other nearby buildings as firefighters attempted to put them out.
Specialist fire investigators working with police have now established that farming equipment was being used in the areas of both fields immediately before the fires were first reported. They also confirmed the fires were not started deliberately.
West Midlands Fire Service chief fire officer Simon Tuhill said today: ‘Our thoughts remain with everyone affected, whether directly or indirectly, by events on August 13 in Stourbridge and beyond.
An aerial view of destroyed homes after the huge wildfires in Stourbridge on August 21
An aerial view of the remains of a home on Brunswick Gate in Stourbridge on August 14
Smoke continues to rise from Stourbridge on August 14 after the devastating wildfires
‘Many people in Stourbridge face having to rebuild homes and lives and, understandably, have questions as part of that process. That’s why we are confirming that both fires were not started deliberately. They were accidental.
‘I know that many are still struggling to comprehend the scale of damage and personal loss. I’m also acutely aware that this information will not bring those back homes, livelihoods or cherished memories.
‘I remain immensely proud of the response from our firefighters, staff and officers, who worked tirelessly in incredibly challenging conditions to protect lives and property.
‘I would also like to thank our colleagues in the police and ambulance services, members of the local farming community who assisted on the day, and the many residents, businesses and community groups who came together to support those affected. The response to this incident showed the very best of Stourbridge and the wider West Midlands.
‘While investigations continue into the full circumstances of what happened, we wanted to share this latest update as soon as possible. I hope it will go some way towards helping people understand what happened on that exceptionally hot and challenging day.’
The neighbouring county of Staffordshire saw a further fire destroy four homes in the Goldenhill area of Stoke-on-Trent.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue service said six firefighters were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion after battling blazes across the county.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said a total of 54 people were treated by paramedics, including 19 who were admitted to hospital, following the fire outbreaks in the region.
A drone view of burnt-out houses on August 14 following the large grass fire in Stourbridge
Prime Minister Andy Burnham (centre) walks with West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker (right) as he talks to Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill (left) during a visit to Stourbridge on August 14
A fire engine stands near a burnt-out house on August 14 following the fire in Stourbridge
In Stourbridge, the Prime Minister said during a visit to the town on August 14 that he had ‘never seen scenes like this in Britain, where you just see a whole house gutted, smouldering’.
Andy Burnham revealed he had called in the military, announced a ban on disposable barbecues and said plans were being drawn up for emergency financial support for fire services battling the spread of wildfires across the country.
In a separate blaze in Birmingham, a man said he watched his childhood home go up in flames in Highters Heath in which his mother had ‘lost absolutely everything’ – including 100 years of family photos.
The West Midlands was subject to an amber warning for extreme heat for much of the day before multiple fires were reported.
Images from blazes across the region show blackened and burnt-out buildings with collapsed roofs, as well as charred areas of grass.
Last week, the National Fire Chiefs Council said 1,132 wildfires have now been recorded across England and Wales in 2026 so far – a record high for the amount between January and this time of year.
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