What we know so far about the West Midlands fires

Key Points:

• Multiple large fires swept across the West Midlands on the UK's hottest day of the year, leading to evacuations and destruction of homes, with 19 houses fully destroyed and 18 damaged in Stourbridge alone.
• Over 100 firefighters battled the blazes, which spread rapidly due to tinder-dry conditions and high temperatures reaching 38°C in Pershore; several firefighters and members of the public were treated for smoke inhalation and injuries.
• Arson is suspected in some cases, with arrests made in Staffordshire and Birmingham, while fire services continue to extinguish hotspots and manage ongoing risks in affected areas.
• Homeowners affected by the fires are advised to contact their insurers for support with claims, emergency payments, and accommodation, while those without insurance should seek help from local authorities or the Red Cross.
• The heatwave and dry conditions have contributed to a record number of wildfires in the UK this year, with major incidents also declared in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Wales.