Stourbridge Residents Wait to Learn If They Can Return Home as Military Helps Fight Wildfires

People forced to leave their homes in Stourbridge, England, are waiting to find out if they can return after a huge wildfire tore through the town. The fire burned more than 500 acres of land and destroyed 19 houses. West Midlands Fire Service declared it a major incident on Thursday, meaning it was serious enough to call in extra help from across the country.

Residents who were evacuated have been invited to a meeting in the area where emergency service officers will explain what comes next. Officers will tell people whether their homes are safe to re-enter or whether more inspections are still needed before they can go back. The fire service said it has been working 'around the clock' with other agencies to bring the situation under control.

The Stourbridge fire was one of many wildfires burning across the UK during a record-breaking heat wave. Temperatures soared to the highest levels of the year, turning dry land into fuel for fast-moving fires. Prime Minister Andy Burnham warned that Britain had become like a 'tinderbox,' meaning it was extremely dry and could catch fire easily, and a temporary ban on disposable barbecues was put in place.

On Friday evening, millions of people in England and Wales received an emergency alert on their phones. The alert warned of a 'very high risk of wildfires nationally.' Fire services quickly reported being flooded with 999 calls — the UK's emergency phone number — and urged the public to only call if there was a real new emergency.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it received 736 calls on Saturday evening alone, compared to its usual average of about 300. Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had been 'inundated,' or overwhelmed, with calls since the alert went out. Both services asked the public to keep phone lines open for people who truly needed urgent help.

About 200 military personnel were sent to South Wales to help deal with the wildfires there. The soldiers came from the Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, with support from the 22 Engineer Regiment. Their main job was to hand out water and handle supplies so that firefighters could focus on fighting the flames.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Adam Openshaw said he was 'incredibly proud' of everyone who helped during the emergency. He thanked fire crews who traveled from all over the UK to assist. He also thanked local communities for their patience and support during such a difficult and worrying time.

In Wales, firefighters were also battling a wildfire near Rhandirmwyn, close to the town of Llandovery. The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service called it a 'challenging and dynamic' major incident. A helicopter was being used to drop water on the flames in areas that were hard for ground crews to reach.

Prince William shared a message thanking emergency workers across the country. He said the thoughts of the royal family were with everyone affected, especially those who had lost their homes. He praised all those working to protect communities, homes, and the countryside.

Phil Garrigan, the chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said the fire service was 'under significant pressure.' He told BBC Radio 4 that 11 major incidents had been declared across the UK, including fires in Sandwell, Pershore, Stoke-on-Trent, Hampshire, and South Wales. He called it a 'particularly difficult, busy period' for fire and rescue teams nationwide.

There was also concern about the effect of the heat on the UK's railways. A train derailed near Wickford in Essex on Friday, and two passengers were seriously injured in a separate incident at Lewes on Thursday. Network Rail said investigators would be looking at the role of climate and other factors in both accidents.

The good news is that cooler weather is on the way. The Met Office said Sunday would be cloudier, with some rain expected in parts of the country. However, forecasters noted there was still some uncertainty about how much rain would actually fall and whether it would be enough to reduce the wildfire risk.