"It has to stop", says fire chief after major blaze in West Brom sends officers to hospital
Firefighters tackling a major blaze in West Bromwich think it was started deliberately.
Three firefighters and a member of the public needed medical treatment for heat exposure following a major blaze in West Bromwich on Sunday afternoon (9 Aug).
Two of the firefighters were taken to hospital for precautionary checks.
The fire, which covered an area off Canterbury Road the size of 35 football pitches, is thought to have been started deliberately.
The chief fire officer at West Midlands Fire Service, Simon Tuhill, said: "It has to stop now before one of my firefighters or a member of the public is seriously injured, or worse."
“The fire was just metres from people’s homes. Our crews had to act quickly in extremely challenging conditions to protect those properties and stop the flames reaching them, although gardens and fence panels were damaged.
“This was the latest in a series of fires believed to have been started deliberately during this exceptionally hot and dry weather. On Monday afternoon, we were dealing with a park fire in Tipton, which also appeared to have been started on purpose in several locations. It has to stop now, before one of my firefighters or an innocent member of the public is seriously injured, or worse.
"You are putting lives at risk"
“My message to those responsible is clear: you are damaging wildlife, habitats, and green spaces, and you are putting lives at risk.
“Anyone who deliberately starts a fire could face a criminal record and be held responsible for damage they may never have anticipated.”
The recent hot weather and low rainfall is putting pressure on fire services around the country.
In the week to Friday 7 August, West Midlands Fire Service responded to 4,649 calls. That's compared to just 1,814 in the same period the year before.
Mr Tuhill continued: “Large grass fires can be extremely demanding. Firefighters have been working across wide areas of uneven ground, often with limited access and challenges securing enough water, while also acting quickly where homes are at risk.
“I have seen first-hand the professionalism, resilience and commitment shown by our firefighters, Fire Control staff, officers, specialist teams and colleagues supporting operations behind the scenes. Their efforts have helped us maintain an effective emergency response during a sustained period of exceptional pressure.
“My thoughts are with the firefighters and the member of the public who required treatment, and we will continue to support our injured colleagues. No firefighter should be injured because of the reckless actions of someone deliberately starting a fire.
“I am extremely proud of every member of WMFS. Their dedication reflects the very best of the Service and the way we protect our communities.”