Big freeze keeps its grip on Midlands

Schools remained closed and homes have flooded as the big freeze continues to wreak havoc across the West Midlands.

Temperatures plunged to between -4C (24F) and -10C (14F) across the region overnight.

And the cold spell is set to continue with temperatures struggling to get above freezing today before plunging to -4C (24F) again overnight.

Netherton Primary School in Netherton, Dudley was today shut for a second day this week as a result of electrical problems.

The Church of England Primary School of St Edmund and St John in Dudley was also shut due to problems with the heating. Dormston School, Sedgley, was open to Years 8 and 10 this morning and for Year 11 who are taking exams. The school has had problems with its heating since last Tuesday after a leak was discovered in a pipe.

The Dell Stadium, in Brierley Hill also remained closed as the pitches are frozen.

The Phoenix Collegiate South Site, on Clarkes Lane in West Bromwich, was today closed to all pupils apart from year 11 and sixth form students due to heating problems.

Meanwhile firefighters across the West Midlands were called out to floodings at 23 homes overnight as frozen pipes burst across the region in Walsall, Wednesfield and Birmingham.

A burst pipe also flooded an office and a shop in Hednesford overnight with firefighters attending from Cannock and Brewood. A call came in Staffordshire Fire and Rescue at 5.30am to say a pipe at burst in a first floor office, in Market Street, which has flooded the upstairs area and ran in to the space below.

Firefighters from both areas remain at the scene this morning, however, they have not forced entry in to the shop as the majority of the water is upstairs.

In Stourton, near Stourbridge, a wood burner left on to keep a narrowboat on Greensforge Wharf keep warm while its owners were out sparked a severe blaze yesterday morning which totally gutted the craft.

Watch manager Lee Smart, of Kinver Fire Station, said a wood burner caused other combustible materials on the boat to catch fire.