Stourbridge fire: Six homes engulfed as 100 firefighters battle huge grass blaze near golf course

A major fire in Stourbridge, West Midlands, has spread from grassland near a golf course to surrounding properties, with six homes reported to be on fire and two people injured. Around 100 firefighters have been deployed as flames spread across roads and woodland, forcing evacuations and disrupting road and rail services.

The incident began shortly before 1:30pm on Thursday, August 13, in the Racecourse Lane area. Emergency crews have since increased their response as the fire expanded across an estimated 40 acres of land, including woodland.

Stourbridge fire spreads to homes as firefighters battle flames

The Stourbridge grass fire has developed into a major emergency, with six homes affected by the blaze and residents in nearby areas being evacuated.

West Midlands Fire Service initially sent 12 crews to the scene. The scale of the incident later prompted additional resources, bringing the number of firefighters tackling the blaze to around 100.

Fire crews have been dealing with flames spreading across roads in parts of the area. Authorities have urged residents to avoid the affected zone while emergency services work to bring the fire under control.

The cause of the fire has not been established in the information provided by the authorities and reports.

Two people injured as Stourbridge homes are evacuated

Two people have been reported injured following the extensive Stourbridge fire. The incident has also led to evacuations, including residents from care homes in the surrounding area.

Dudley Council has activated its major incident plan to coordinate support for people affected by the blaze. Councillor Andrew Southall said evacuation operations were under way and that care-home residents had been moved safely to other facilities.

For residents who have had to leave their properties, Stourbridge Town Hall has been opened as a rest centre. Transport is also being arranged for people who cannot make their own way there.

St Michael’s Church in Norton has also offered accommodation assistance to people who need somewhere to stay.

Residents told to close windows and doors as smoke spreads

The West Midlands Fire Service has advised people in the surrounding area to remain indoors where possible and keep doors and windows closed as a precaution.

The service said flames were spreading across roads in places and warned that a number of nearby properties were experiencing power problems.

Residents have also been advised to stay away from the fire area to allow emergency crews to operate safely.

The rapidly spreading blaze has produced large amounts of smoke, creating additional concerns for people living close to the affected areas.

M6 northbound closed as Stourbridge fire causes major delays

The Stourbridge fire has also caused significant disruption on the M6 motorway.

National Highways confirmed that the M6 northbound was closed between Junction 5 and Junction 6 because of the fire. The affected section runs between the Castle Bromwich Interchange and Gravelly Hill, commonly known as Spaghetti Junction.

The closure has caused substantial congestion, with National Highways reporting delays of up to 120 minutes and five miles of traffic.

Officials said the fire continued to reignite, meaning the fire commander was not satisfied that the motorway could safely reopen until the blaze had been fully extinguished.

Motorists travelling through the area have been advised to expect major delays and seek alternative routes where possible.

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Train services suspended between Stourbridge Junction and Hagley

The fire has also disrupted local railway services.

Network Rail said services between Stourbridge Junction and Hagley had been suspended because of a lineside fire.

The rail operator said it was supporting emergency services as they dealt with the incident.

The suspension adds to the wider transport disruption caused by the blaze, with both road and rail networks affected while firefighters continue their work.

Major incident response activated in Dudley

The scale of the emergency has prompted Dudley Council to activate its major incident arrangements.

Council teams are supporting evacuations, arranging transport and preparing temporary accommodation for residents whose homes have been damaged or become unsafe.

Authorities said hotels and support from other housing associations could be used if people require longer-term accommodation.

The immediate priority remains protecting residents, supporting those who have been evacuated and helping emergency crews contain the fire.

Stourbridge fire comes amid widespread UK wildfires

The Stourbridge blaze is one of several significant fires reported across parts of the UK as temperatures have climbed sharply.

The Sun reported other fires affecting areas including Sandyford, Stoke-on-Trent, Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham and Solihull, while multiple wildfires have also been reported in South Wales.

A separate blaze in Tamworth reportedly spread through several gardens, while other incidents have affected woodland and open land.

The latest Stourbridge fire highlights the challenges faced by emergency services when grass and woodland fires spread rapidly during periods of hot and dry weather.

What happens next in the Stourbridge fire?

Firefighters are expected to remain at the scene until the blaze has been brought under control and the area is considered safe.

Residents affected by evacuations are being supported through local emergency arrangements, while transport and temporary accommodation are being coordinated for those who need assistance.

Road and rail restrictions are also expected to remain in place while emergency services assess the situation.

Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area, follow evacuation instructions and keep doors and windows closed if they are close enough to be affected by smoke.

The full extent of property damage and the circumstances surrounding the start of the fire remain subject to further updates from emergency services and local authorities.

 

FAQ: Stourbridge Fire

What happened in the Stourbridge fire?

A large grass fire broke out near a golf course in the Stourbridge area on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The fire spread across roads and towards residential properties, with six homes reported to be on fire. Emergency services significantly increased resources at the scene as the blaze continued to spread.

Where did the Stourbridge fire start?

According to the reports provided, the fire was near a golf course in the Racecourse Lane area of Stourbridge. The exact cause of the fire had not been established in the supplied reports.

How many homes were affected by the Stourbridge fire?

ITV reported that six homes were on fire as firefighters tackled the extensive grass fire. The Sun also reported that homes, gardens and other property had been affected by the blaze.

How many firefighters are fighting the Stourbridge fire?

Around 100 firefighters were reported to be tackling the blaze, with 12 crews initially responding shortly after 1:30pm. Additional resources were later brought in as the fire spread.

Were people injured in the Stourbridge fire?

Yes. Two people were reported injured in connection with the extensive fire, according to ITV. The supplied reports do not provide further details about the nature or severity of those injuries.

Were residents evacuated from Stourbridge?

Yes. Some residents were evacuated from their homes, while care home residents were also moved to other care homes, according to Dudley Council councillor Andrew Southall.

Where can people affected by the Stourbridge fire go?

Stourbridge Town Hall was opened as a rest centre for people affected by the fire. Transport was also being arranged for residents who could not make their own way there. St Michael’s Church in Norton was reported to be offering accommodation assistance.

Has a major incident been declared in Stourbridge?

The supplied ITV report says Dudley Council invoked its major incident plan as evacuations took place. The Sun also reported several major incidents elsewhere in the UK amid widespread fires.

How large is the Stourbridge fire?

The fire was estimated by emergency services to cover approximately 40 acres, including woodland, according to ITV. The Sun reported an estimate of about 49 acres.

What areas of Stourbridge have been affected?

The Racecourse Lane area, Ounty John Lane and Stourbridge Road were among the locations affected, according to ITV. Surrounding residential areas were also impacted as flames spread across roads and towards homes.

Is the M6 closed because of the Stourbridge fire?

Yes. The M6 northbound was closed between Junction 5 and Junction 6 because of the fire and smoke. National Highways reported that delays had reached around 120 minutes, with approximately five miles of congestion.

Which M6 junctions are affected?

The closure affects the section between Junction 5, Castle Bromwich Interchange, and Junction 6, Gravelly Hill, commonly known as Spaghetti Junction.

Are trains running between Stourbridge Junction and Hagley?

No. According to Network Rail, services between Stourbridge Junction and Hagley were suspended because of a lineside fire. The railway operator said it was supporting emergency services dealing with the incident.

What should residents do during the Stourbridge fire?

The West Midlands Fire Service advised people to keep doors and windows closed as a precaution and avoid the area. Residents should follow instructions from emergency services and local authorities, particularly where evacuation orders or road closures are in place.

What caused the Stourbridge fire?

The reports supplied do not confirm the cause of the fire. The Sun reported that the blaze was thought to have started at a golf course and then crossed a road, but the precise cause had not been established in the information provided.

Is the Stourbridge fire under control?

The supplied reports do not state that the fire had been fully extinguished. National Highways said the fire was continuing to reignite and that the fire commander did not want the M6 reopened until the blaze was fully extinguished.

Why is the Stourbridge fire spreading so quickly?

The supplied reports link the incident to a large grass and woodland area during a period of very high temperatures, with England reaching around 36°C. Dry vegetation and hot conditions can contribute to the rapid spread of grass fires, but the reports do not provide a definitive technical assessment of why this particular blaze spread so quickly.

Is Stourbridge experiencing a wildfire?

The incident is being described in the supplied reports as a large grass fire or wildfire. It affected woodland and residential properties and required a major emergency response.

Are there other wildfires in the UK?

Yes. The reports describe multiple significant fires across parts of England and Wales, including incidents in the West Midlands, Warwickshire, Norwich, Staffordshire and South Wales. The wider outbreak came during a period of exceptionally hot weather.

What is the latest on the Stourbridge fire?

The latest information in the supplied reports states that approximately 100 firefighters were tackling the blaze, six homes had been affected by fire, two people had been injured, residents had been evacuated and major transport disruption was ongoing.

Why was Stourbridge Town Hall opened?

Stourbridge Town Hall was opened as a rest centre to support residents displaced by the fire. Dudley Council said it was also preparing temporary accommodation for people whose homes had been damaged or who could not return home.

Could the Stourbridge fire cause more travel disruption?

Yes. The incident had already caused M6 northbound closures and significant congestion, while rail services between Stourbridge Junction and Hagley were suspended. Further disruption depended on the progress of firefighting operations and safety assessments.