Firefighters have issued an update on what ignited ‘apocalyptic’ wildfires that raged, destroying 19 homes in Stourbridge.
The two blazes were started accidentally in a field where agricultural machinery was being used on August 13, West Midlands Fire Service said.
Specialist fire investigators established that farming equipment was being used in the area close to both fields immediately before the fires were first reported.
They stressed that the fires were not started deliberately.
Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill said: ‘Our thoughts remain with everyone affected, whether directly or indirectly, by events on 13 August in Stourbridge and beyond.
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(Picture: Anita Maric / SWNS)
‘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.’
He added he was proud of all his firefighters, saying: ‘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.’
One farmer told Metro that Britain’s drought-like conditions over Summer mean even a stone caught in equipment is enough to ignite a wildfire.
Soon after the Stourbridge blaze, millions of people in England and Wales were startled to receive an alert on their mobile devices warning them of a ‘very high risk of wildfires nationally’.
It came as a direct request from fire services, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham urging people to take it ‘seriously’, having already described Britain as a ‘tinderbox’ due to the ‘changing climate’.
Actions also saw him implement a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues, with the public instructed ‘not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks’.
In the aftermath of wildfires in the region, 200 military personnel were deployed to assist civilian teams. They were sent from the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, supported by the 22 Engineer Regiment.
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