Crews attend several Stoke-on-Trent fires overnight

Firefighters have attended several fires, in the Mount Pleasant area of Stoke-on-Trent, overnight.

A fire ranger is due to carry out checks on Kemball Avenue today (Thursday 13 August), after a small number of residents were evacuated from their homes along Nutbrook Avenue, West Parade and Judith Grove, from around 6pm till 9.30pm yesterday (Wednesday 12 August).

Fences, gardens and garages were involved in the fire, which is understood to have spread from a grass area, close to the A50.

Crews were already in attendance at a fire in trees near to the A50, in the direction of Stanley Matthews Way, at around 5.30pm. Resources were split across the locations and the A50 was closed for a number of hours.

Crews have since re-visited the site of the A50 fire this morning, to carry out checks.

An investigation into the cause of the fires is underway, with Staffordshire Police.

The fire service is urging people to avoid setting fires in any area, as temperatures continue to be high across the county.

Please help your local firefighters by:

• Not having garden bonfires

• Not using disposable BBQs

• Not discarding rubbish or cigarettes irresponsibly, as all these actions pose a risk to people and property.

If you suspect someone of starting a fire deliberately, report it anonymously via Firestoppers, by calling 0800 169 5558.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.