'We'll do everything we can' - West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker pledges support for Stourbridge fire victims
Mayor Richard Parker was joined by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Stourbridge today.
The Mayor of the West Midlands has declared his support for the community of Stourbridge following a devastating wildfire.
Nineteen houses have been fully destroyed and 18 damaged by the wildfire which broke out in the Norton area yesterday afternoon (August 13).
Many residents were evacuated from their homes as emergency services worked to tackle the blaze during the UK’s hottest day of the year.
Speaking to the Express & Star, West Midlands Richard Parker pledged support for the community over the coming weeks and months following the “devastating” blaze.
He said: “It was devastating. My immediate concern remains with those people that had to leave their homes yesterday evening, and particularly for those people that lost their homes. Indeed, the Prime Minister and myself met a family this morning that lost their home yesterday.
“They're still in shock. But I want to everyone who lives here in this part of Sturbridge to know that they've got our full support, and we'll do everything we can to ensure that they get the support they need, uh, over the next few weeks and months.”
The Mayor was joined by Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Stourbridge today (August 14) as they visited members of the community and emergency services.
Speaking about the PM’s visit, Parker added: “I'm very pleased the Prime Minister came today. I spoke to him last night about the severity of the fire here in Stourbridge along with other parts of West Midlands.
“The Prime Minister was really keen to come with me today to support the community here that's been so awfully affected by the fire, but also, to thank and praise the brilliant work of our emergency services, particularly the fire service.”
He said that he has been and will remain in regular contact with the Prime Minister, declaring that Burnham “cares about communities like this just as I do, and he wanted to ensure that he supported me and my work here in the West Midlands, but also the community here in Stourbridge.”