Lickey Hills blaze: fire fighters remain vigilant as temperatures rise

Families were evacuated as a fire broke out a Lickey Hills Country Park south of Birmingham on Monday (July 18)
By Fionnuala Bourke, Adam Dutton
Published 19th Jul 2022, 08:42 BST
Updated 19th Jul 2022, 12:52 BST

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Fire fighters worked through the night to dampen down the blaze that broke out at the Lickey Hills on Monday afternoon.

The scene was still smouldering this morning as fire fighters continue to monitor the area with temperatures set to rise further today as the UK heatwave peaks.

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Around 4,305 square feet of land less than 200 yards from Lickey Hills Golf Course - which celebrated its centenary last year - was set alight.

Fire breaks out at Lickey Hills Country Park during UK heatwaveFire breaks out at Lickey Hills Country Park during UK heatwave
Fire breaks out at Lickey Hills Country Park during UK heatwave

The cause of the fire has not yet been identified. It was located in an area bordered to the south by Rose Hill and to the west by Eachway Lane and to the north and east by the B4120 and Leach Green Lane - has not yet been identified.

Twelve crews from Hereford and Worcester, West Midlands and Shropshire Fire and Rescue attended the scene. West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Mercia Police have also been in attendance.

Fire crews attend blaze at Lickey Hills Country Park during UK heatwaveFire crews attend blaze at Lickey Hills Country Park during UK heatwave
Fire crews attend blaze at Lickey Hills Country Park during UK heatwave

Fifteen people, including four children, had to be evacuated from three properties off Eachway Lane and people were asked to keep their distance and others living nearby requested to keep their windows and doors shut.

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A spokesperson for Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said: “Initially, the fire covered around around 400 square metres but this eventually increased to around 50,000 sq m.

“Firefighting was hampered by heat, humidity and the terrain as crews battled to stop the spread of the fire which was fanned by a southerly wind.

Fire breaks out at Lickey Hills Country Park during the heatwaveFire breaks out at Lickey Hills Country Park during the heatwave
Fire breaks out at Lickey Hills Country Park during the heatwave

One woman commenting on Twitter described the blaze as "looking awful from where I am now" and another said "hopefully the fire service can stop it before it spreads".

Another posted: "Not a sight we want to see when it’s 35degs. Huge fire on the Lickey Hills. Thoughts with all the firefighters and rangers right now."

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