Fire service issues warning after Streetly garden blaze spreads to neighbouring properties

West Midlands Fire Service has urged residents to take extra care when using outdoor fire baskets after an accidental garden fire spread to neighbouring properties in Streetly.

Firefighters were called to Coppice View Road at around 6.45pm on Thursday (July 9) following multiple reports of a fire.

Crews from Ladywood, Sheldon, Walsall and Ward End fire stations attended the incident and found that several gardens were ablaze, with fences, sheds and greenhouses all affected by the rapidly spreading flames.

Firefighters used breathing apparatus, hose reels and main jets to bring the fire under control. A fire service drone was also deployed to identify remaining hot spots and support firefighting operations.

Once the fire had been contained, crews carried out Safe and Well visits with residents living on the street to provide reassurance and ensure their safety.

Fire crews remained at the scene until around 1am on Friday, confirming that all remaining hot spots had been fully extinguished.

West Midlands Fire Service said the blaze was accidental and originated from an outdoor heating fire basket.

A spokesperson said: "West Midlands Fire Service received a number of reports of a fire around 6.45pm on Thursday 9 July in Streetly.

"Crews from Ladywood, Sheldon, Walsall and Ward End fire stations attended Coppice View Road to find a number of gardens, including fences, sheds and greenhouses on fire. Crews used breathing apparatus, hose reels and main jets to bring the fire under control, and utilised a fire service drone to identify any hot spots to support our firefighting efforts.

"As the fire was brought under control, crews carried out Safe and Well visits with some residents on the street to provide assurance and to ensure their safety. Crews had a presence in the area until around 1am on Friday, where they identified that all hot spots were extinguished.

"The cause of fire was accidental, caused by a fire in an outdoor heating fire basket. We would urge all residents of the West Midlands using these to carefully monitor them, as due to the hot weather, they do not cool down and can reignite and become difficult to control."

The service is also reminding people to ensure outdoor heating appliances are fully extinguished after use, particularly during prolonged periods of hot, dry weather when fires can spread quickly through gardens and vegetation.