Residents call for firebreak after blaze destroys four Stoke-on-Trent homes

Residents are calling for a firebreak to be created at a Stoke-on-Trent park, after a devastating blaze destroyed four homes last month.

The grass fire at Sandyford Park spread to houses on Sandy Road and Maureen Avenue, which back onto the playing fields, resulting in dozens of people being evacuated.

Six firefighters needed hospital treatment after tackling the blaze, which was started by a disposable barbecue.

Sandyford and Goldenhill Residents' Association is now calling on Stoke-on-Trent City Council to create a firebreak around the park to protect homes in future.

The group says that while hotter, drier summers and people's carelessness may lead to more grass fires, a three-metre-wide gravel firebreak would help keep nearby residents safe.

Sandyford Park is surrounded on all sides by houses on Sandy Road, Maureen Avenue, Ridge Road and Wignall Road.

The association's secretary, Tom Simpson, raised the issue during the group's public meeting on Thursday.

"At Sandyford Park the houses back right onto the park area. If there was a firebreak there it would stop grass fires spreading to residential gardens. We think that three metres of gravel between the playing fields and the houses should be enough," Mr Simpson said.

"It might seem like we're calling for this after the horse has bolted, but something like this could happen again. We're going to get hotter, drier summers in the future," he said.

"I think it's important that we talk about this while the fire is still a hot topic, and then hopefully something will be done sooner rather than later. We think it should be a priority for the council," Mr Simpson said.

Senior officers from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the meeting and updated residents on the fire.

They explained that crews had initially been called to deal with the grass fire in the park on the afternoon of 13th August.

A sudden change in wind direction caused the fire to spread rapidly across the park, including towards people's homes, the fire service said.

Firefighters then quickly redeployed to Sandy Road and called for further appliances.

Head of operations Martin Weaver told the meeting that the potential use of firebreaks would be discussed with council officials at the local resilience forum.

"We will be talking about what can be done at what we call the rural interface with properties. We'd encourage the council to look at measures like firebreaks to stop fires spreading," Mr Weaver said.

"Residents should be able to keep their hedges, but there could be a firebreak between the park and people's gardens," he said.