FIRE chiefs are probing whether A-level students celebrating their results by burning notepads may have sparked a huge wildfire that has left 25 in hospital.
Homes were destroyed as families were forced to quickly gather belongings as they evacuated as the fire spread across Stourbridge, West Midlands, yesterday afternoon.
Fire chiefs are investigating whether students celebrating their A Levels started the blazes Credit: Jattvibe
The service has said their enquiries are in the early stages and they didn’t want to ‘blame young people’ Credit: Reuters
A-level students across the country had been collecting their final grades – with many celebrating throughout the day.
However, fire chiefs are now reportedly investigating whether students burning notepads and celebrating with barbecues may have been behind the blaze.
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A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service told the Birmingham Mail the cause of the fire is being investigated, but did not rule out A-level students potentially having been the cause.
Horrifying aerial footage shows the blaze ripping through rooftops and wooded areas.
Drone footage shows flames decimating houses in Stourbridge Credit: Jattvibe
The wildfire in Stourbridge is believed to have started at a local grassland before spreading to a residential area Credit: LNP
25 people have been admitted to hospital in the West Midlands suffering from heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation Credit: Getty
Fire chiefs announced 11 major fire incidents in the West Midlands in the past 24 hours Credit: Alamy
Around six properties have reportedly been impacted so far, with drone footage showing homes completely gutted and covered in ash.
A rescue centre has been set up for those forced to flee their homes.
Local resident Jane Baxter said she could see the flames from her “bedroom window” and described the “horrendous” choking smell in the air.
She and neighbours were given a few minutes to gather their belongings before fleeing, with the blaze just 200 yards away.
Stourbridge councillor Andrew Tromans said: “The apocalyptic scenes in Norton and across Stourbridge are sadly just a taste of what is to come if we don’t act.
“It is my view, and it has been for a while, that Dudley councillors must have an emergency meeting about [how] we protect our borough from the impacts of climate change.”
Cops are investigating the cause of the Stourbridge inferno, with reports of it starting in a nearby grassland before spreading to homes.
A large fire also broke out in neighbouring Pershore on Thursday afternoon, with Hereford and Worcester Fire Service treating one person for smoke inhalation.
A total of 11 major fire incidents were reported in the past 24 hours, according to the National Fire Chiefs Council chairman.
Phil Carrigan told the BBC’s Today programme: “It’s been a particularly difficult, busy period for the fire and rescue service, where we’ve been under significant pressure.
“Firefighters have been on the front line of climate change for a number of years. They’re doing their absolute best to protect communities and properties.”
The surge in fires came as the UK officially broke its 2026 record for the hottest day, with the mercury hitting 38.5C in Kew Gardens, London.
Paying tribute to firefighters on the ground, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Awful to see homes and communities hit by fires across the country tonight as the heatwave continues.
“Our firefighters are working in incredibly difficult conditions and putting themselves at risk to keep others safe.
“A huge thank you to them and everyone supporting the effort tonight.”
Six firefighters from the West Midlands service have been admitted to hospital since the outbreak, suffering from heat exhaustion and smoke inhalation.
Anthony Marsh, the chief executive of the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “Yesterday was an extremely busy day for our crews, responding to a number of serious fires across the region.
“I want to thank all of our staff for their professionalism and hard work, as well as our colleagues in the fire and police services for the way everyone worked together to help keep people safe.
“With the hot and dry weather we have encountered, we would ask everyone to take extra care and think about the risks before lighting fires or undertaking activities that could cause them.”
