Stourbridge fire brings urgent advice for residents

By AtheneNet News Desk

Dudley Council’s latest statement says around 100 firefighters are responding to an extensive grass fire in the Norton Road area of Stourbridge. Residents and visitors have been told to avoid Racecourse Lane, Norton Road, The Greyhound roundabout and Mary Stevens Park while crews work to bring the incident under control.

Anyone nearby who has not been ordered to leave should avoid unnecessary journeys and outdoor activity, and keep doors and windows closed. Stourbridge Town Hall is available as an emergency refuge, but people should go there only when directly instructed by emergency services.

Safety instructions in force around Norton Road

The current advice depends on the instructions emergency services give to each household:

• If told to evacuate, follow the instruction and travel to the designated refuge as directed.
• If not told to evacuate, stay away from the affected area and limit time outdoors.
• Keep doors and windows closed while the warning remains in place.
• Do not make an unnecessary trip to Stourbridge Town Hall; it is for people sent there by responders.

These directions also apply to visitors considering travelling through the affected part of Stourbridge. The council has asked people to reduce avoidable movement around the response area so emergency vehicles and traffic-management teams can operate.

Firefighters and police remain at the scene

West Midlands Fire Service is working to bring the grass fire under control, with around 100 firefighters reported in the area. Police are assisting with traffic management, while Dudley Council is supporting the emergency services.

Councillor Ed Lawrence, the cabinet member responsible for emergency planning, issued the council statement. It does not provide a cause, report whether anyone has been injured or specify when the restrictions may be lifted. It also does not identify formal road closures, so residents should follow the broader instruction to avoid all four named locations.

Town Hall refuge is limited to directed evacuees

An evacuation request should come directly from emergency services. The availability of Stourbridge Town Hall does not mean all nearby residents need to leave their homes or travel into the town centre.

People who remain at home should continue keeping doors and windows shut, avoid outdoor activity and make only necessary journeys. Those ordered to evacuate should follow the route and destination given by responders rather than making separate arrangements based on unconfirmed information.

The next confirmed milestone will be a change in instructions from emergency services. Until then, the avoidance area, stay-indoors precautions and restricted use of the Town Hall refuge remain the council’s stated safety position.

Source: Dudley Council