LONDON, United Kingdom: West Midlands wildfires sent 19 people to hospital as paramedics treated 54 patients across central England following fires that erupted on Thursday, August 13.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said crews attended several serious incidents during continued hot and dry conditions. At Norton Road in Stourbridge, paramedics treated six people and hospitalised a woman and a boy for smoke inhalation.
At Papyrus Way in Hodge Hill, Birmingham, four ambulances responded to another fire. Nine patients were taken to hospital with smoke inhalation, while four others were discharged at the scene.
West Midlands Fire Service said crews made progress on Friday while tackling several fires around Stourbridge. About 50 residents were evacuated from the Gorleston Road area after flames damaged terraced houses.
Local councillor Ed Lawrence said displaced residents could not yet return home. He also urged people not to fly drones near emergency operations.
Ambulance service chief executive Anthony Marsh described Thursday as extremely busy and asked the public to reserve 999 calls for genuine emergencies.
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The Met Office recorded 38.1C at Kew Gardens in London on August 13, making it the United Kingdom’s fifth-hottest day on record.
