Alicia Kelly

A major fire in Stourbridge forced residents from their homes and led to the evacuation of people from a nearby care home. Old Swinford Hospital School sheltered 24 displaced residents along with 21 care-home residents and 19 staff, while local volunteers and community members supplied food, bedding and other necessities. West Midlands Fire Service described the incident as one of the region’s most significant and said its response could continue for several days. Six people were treated at the scene and two were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.