Jamie Arrowsmith – Friday 14th August – 10.30am
West Midlands Ambulance Service attended a number of serious fires across the region yesterday (Thursday) as hot and dry conditions continue. Ambulance crews were called to several incidents involving wildfires, working alongside colleagues from other emergency services to provide treatment and care where needed. In total, we attended 22 incidents and treated 68 patients in total, 25 of whom were taken to hospital and 43 of whom were discharged at scene. Further details about some of the incidents we attended are listed below. Some of the incidents we attended are listed below.
Birmingham and the Black Country
At 2.35pm we were called to a wildfire on Norton Road in Stourbridge and sent multiple resources to the scene including three ambulances, incident commanders, and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team. We treated a total of six patients, two of whom, a woman and a boy, were transported to Russell’s Hall Hospital with the effects of smoke inhalation. The remaining four patients were discharged at the scene. The Trust’s HART team and Command Vehicle remains at the scene this morning (Friday) supporting fire service colleagues.
We were called at 4.41pm to reports of a garden fire near to the junction of Thorne Road and Dingle Lane in Willenhall. One ambulance and two incident commanders attended the scene where, on arrival, it was discovered that the fire had spread to nearby properties. We treated six patients in total, all of whom were able to be discharged at the scene.
In Oldbury, we were called to two fires at 5.02pm, one at Grandhall Golf Course and one near to the junction of Oakdale Road and Oakdale Close. One ambulance, two incident commanders and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team attended. We treated one patient, a man, for the effects of smoke inhalation before he was discharged at the scene.
At 5.24pm we were called to a property fire on Prince of Wales Lane, two ambulances and an incident commander attended. Two patients were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham after being treated for the effects of smoke inhalation, two further patients were discharged at the scene.
We were called to reports of a wildfire on Papyrus Way, Hodge Hill at 6.50pm which saw four ambulances, an incident commander and a HART paramedic attend. Nine patients in total were taken to hospital after being treated for the effects of smoke inhalation, four more were discharged at the scene.
Staffordshire
At 5.12pm we were called to the junction of Maureen Avenue and Sandy Road in Stoke on Trent. Four ambulances and three incident commanders attended. In total, we assessed 11 patients, six of whom were taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with the effects of smoke inhalation, whilst five others were discharged at the scene.
Worcestershire
We were called to report of a wildfire on Three Springs Road at 4.23pm, one ambulance, two incident commanders and a Community First Responder attended the scene. On arrival, crews discovered buildings were also ablaze. We treated six patients in total, all of whom were discharged on the scene.
In Evesham, we were called to a fire on School Road at 3.04pm, four ambulances and three incident commanders attended the scene. Seven patients were assessed by ambulance staff but thankfully none of them required hospital treatment.
Trust Chief Executive, Anthony Marsh, said: “Yesterday was an extremely busy day for our crews, responding to a number of serious fires across the region.
“I want to thank all of our staff for their professionalism and hard work, as well as our colleagues in the fire and police services for the way everyone worked together to help keep people safe. I am immensely proud of my Commanders and staff for the way in which they performed their duties.
“With the hot and dry weather we have encountered, we would ask everyone to take extra care and think about the risks before lighting fires or undertaking activities that could cause them. Please also use 999 wisely and only call us when you have a genuine emergency, so our crews can get to those who need us most.”