Fire crews contain 2,000sqm grass blaze at Perry Common Meadows
On arrival, firefighters found around 2,000 square metres of grassland alight
Firefighters were called to a fast-moving grass fire at Perry Common Meadows on Thursday evening, with crews bringing the blaze under control within around an hour and a half.
West Midlands Fire Service said it received several emergency calls shortly before 6.40pm on Thursday, July 9, reporting a fire on the recreation ground.
Fire engines from Aston, Sutton Coldfield and Erdington fire stations were dispatched, with the first crews arriving within four minutes of the initial calls.
On arrival, firefighters found around 2,000 square metres of grassland alight. The blaze was spreading rapidly because of the dry conditions.
Crews used the Brigade Response Vehicle's off-road capability, along with main jets and a hose reel, to extinguish the fire. After the flames had been brought under control, firefighters carried out checks using a thermal imaging camera to identify and extinguish any remaining hotspots before leaving the scene at around 8pm.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: "West Midlands Fire Service received a number of calls just before 6.40pm on Thursday 9 July about a fire at Perry Common Meadows.
"Our first crews were in attendance within four minutes, with crews from Aston, Sutton Coldfield and Erdington fire stations in attendance.
"Crews discovered approximately 2,000 square metres of grassland on fire on a recreation ground, which was moving quickly due to the dry conditions. Crews utilised the Brigade Response Vehicle's off-road capability, main jets and a hose reel to extinguish the fire, and following the incident used a thermal imaging camera to check for hotspots before leaving the scene at around 8pm.
"We are grateful to members of the public who cooperated with us near the fire, making the incident much easier to manage for our crews."
The incident comes as firefighters continue to warn that prolonged dry weather significantly increases the risk of grass fires, with even small ignition sources capable of causing rapidly spreading blazes.