'Apocalyptic scenes' as fires hits West Midlands homes

Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Stourbridge, a town near Birmingham, following a devastating wildfire that destroyed 19 homes and damaged 18 more. Smoke billowed from the charred remains of the houses as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. The PM emphasized the link between the destructive fire and climate change, stating that Britain must accelerate its transition to clean energy.

"I've never seen scenes like this in Britain, where you just see a whole house gutted, smouldering," Burnham remarked. He criticized the government for not addressing climate change sooner, noting that Britain is experiencing widespread drought, extreme heat, and wildfires. The UK has set a target to achieve zero-carbon electricity by 2030 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Burnham warned against outdoor fires and introduced a ban on disposable barbecue equipment. Emergency alerts were issued to residents, advising them not to light anything that could ignite a fire. Six firefighters from Staffordshire were hospitalized due to smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion. The ambulance service treated 68 people for smoke inhalation symptoms, with 25 requiring hospitalization.

Two men in their 20s have been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with a large fire that damaged four homes. Firefighters have been battling wildfires in rural areas and moorland across the country, with Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill attributing the rapid spread to tinder-dry conditions. The National Fire Chiefs Council warned that investment in firefighting resources was insufficient and urged the government to boost support, citing the growing risk of wildfires as climate change intensifies.