Fundraising page set up for victims after major fire wrecks terraced homes in Rowley Regis

A fundraiser has been launched to help the victims of a huge property fire in Rowley Regis.

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Fire broke out at a property in Bridge Field Walk on Monday night (August 3) and spread to neighbouring homes.

The sister of one of those displaced by the fire's damage, Chelsea Bill, has set up the online fundraising page, asking the community for help following the tragic fire, and it has raised more than £3,400 so far.

A post from Ms Bill on the gofundme page says: “Following the devastating house fire on Bridge Field Walk, Rowley Regis, my sister and her family have lost absolutely everything.

“In a matter of moments, their entire home and all of their belongings were destroyed. They escaped with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, and they are now faced with the unimaginable task of trying to rebuild their lives from scratch.

“No one ever expects something like this to happen, and it’s impossible to imagine how overwhelming and heartbreaking this must be for them.

“Every treasured possession, family memory, essential item, and the place they called home has gone.

“As a community, we have the opportunity to come together and show them that they are not facing this alone.

“We are asking for any help that people can offer, whether that’s a financial donation to help them get back on their feet, clothing, shoes, toiletries, household essentials, furniture, or anything else that could help them begin again.

“If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this post could help it reach someone who can. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a genuine difference.

“Your kindness and generosity can help give this family hope during what is undoubtedly one of the most difficult times of their lives.

“Thank you to everyone who is able to support, donate, or share. Let’s show this family the strength and compassion of our community and help them rebuild, one step at a time.”

To donate to the fundraiser visit gofundme.com/f/a-family-needs-our-help-4cp4f

Eight West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) engines, crewed by around 40 firefighters from Oldbury, Smethwick, Dudley, Tipton, Highgate, West Bromwich, Brierley Hill and Kings Norton, attended the blaze which the service described as a “large-scale incident”.

A WMFS spokesperson said: “Shortly after 10.35pm on Monday 3 August, we responded to Bridge Field Walk, Rowley Regis.

“This was a fire affecting a three-storey property, comprising a row of eight houses.

“The fire caused significant damage to the ground, first and second floors. The roof space was also affected.

“Up to 25 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus worked to extinguish the fire. Police colleagues maintained a cordon, and provided imagery via a drone for crews to target hotspots.

“Gas and electric was isolated to all properties within the row.”

A video shared on social media showed a large fire outside one of the properties, while in another firefighters could be seen using a hose reel jet to direct water into a second-floor window.

Shortly after 11pm the fire service had warned members of the public to “avoid the area, where possible”.

On Tuesday morning the site was cordoned off with police and fire service tape. Heavy fire damage was visible around first- and second-floor windows and at ground level at the rear of the houses.

One person the Express & Star spoke to at the scene said everyone in the homes at the time was able to escape.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called at 10.36pm and treated two people.

A spokesperson said: “Two ambulances, two paramedic officers and the trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team attended the scene.

“We treated two patients, one for a medical condition and one for smoke inhalation, both of whom were then discharged at the scene.”