Huge wildfire affecting grassland area near houses in Halesowen was 'deliberate'

Firefighters have been making “steady progress” battling a deliberate blaze affecting a large area of grassland in Halesowen.

The fire broke out in the Coombs Wood area, near Cocksheds Lane, on Monday afternoon (August 3) and 11 West Midlands Fire Service engines were dispatched alongside a 4x4 response vehicle.

Crews from Oldbury, Ladywood, Woodgate Valley, Stourbridge, Tettenhall, Bournbrook, Wolverhampton, Billesley, Highgate and Northfield worked across the site to prevent the fire spreading to nearby houses.

Residents were urged to keep windows and doors closed while the firefighters worked.

The fire service said the blaze is believed to have been started deliberately; fire investigators have contacted West Midlands Police.

Crews worked through the evening and overnight to monitor and dampen down hot spots.

A statement from the fire service on Tuesday morning said: “Our crews remained at the scene during the night, making steady progress despite the uneven terrain. Resources were scaled down to four fire engines as crews continued to damp down hot spots identified by the drone, and portable lighting was utilised to guide the main jets.”