Sadly, we have seen more fires in Sandwell and across the West Midlands over the past week, including some devastating scenes yesterday.
Our thoughts are with all those affected – and we thank our emergency services as well as council teams and other organisations working closely with the fire service, police and ambulance service to support the response to incidents. The council will continue to work with partners to reduce the risk of further fires.
Last night, council teams were out supporting the emergency services at a fire in Brandhall – the latest in a series of fires we have seen on open land in Sandwell, putting people’s safety at risk and causing damage to property and wildlife.
West Midlands Fire Service Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill issued a warning earlier this week that anyone who deliberately starts a fire could face a criminal record and be held responsible for damage they may never have anticipated.
This followed a fire in Hateley Heath, West Bromwich, last Sunday where three firefighters and a member of the public required medical treatment for heat exposure at the scene of a significant outdoor fire believed to have been started deliberately.
On Monday afternoon, the fire service dealt with a park fire in Tipton, which also appeared to have been started on purpose in several locations.
Simon Tuhill said: “It has to stop now, before one of my firefighters or a member of the public is seriously injured, or worse.”
Everyone can help play their part to avoid fires from starting. Fires can become much bigger and spread so quickly in the dry conditions following the series of heatwaves this summer. This is particularly important at the moment with fire service resources stretched in response to incidents across the region.
Here are some key pieces of advice from West Midlands Fire Service:
- Please hold off on garden fires and BBQs. This includes fire pits, chimeneas, braziers, incinerators. Anything that creates flames, heat or sparks.
- Don't use disposable barbecues in parks, on grassland or in open spaces.
- Don't discard cigarettes on the ground or from vehicle windows.
- Take glass bottles and other items that could reflect sunlight home with you.
- Please don’t use fireworks during this hot, dry weather.
Remember – barbecues and fires are not allowed in our parks and open spaces. Officers are on patrol and you could be fined £100.
If you see a fire, call 999. If you do see suspicious activity that suggests fires may be being started deliberately, please call the police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111.
Thanks to everyone who's helping us keep fire risk down.