James Burns

Old Swinford Hospital School provided emergency shelter for 24 people displaced by a major wildfire in Stourbridge, along with 21 care-home residents and 19 staff. Local volunteers and residents donated food, bedding and other supplies. West Midlands Fire Service described the blaze as one of the region's most significant incidents, while crews continued working across the site and warned that the emergency response could last several days. Six people were treated at the scene and two were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation. Government and local leaders offered support to affected residents and emergency services.

Wyre Forest District Council is moving refuse and recycling collections one hour earlier, starting Tuesday, August 11, because of forecast extreme heat. Residents are asked to put their bins out the night before or by 5 a.m. Crews will begin earlier to avoid the hottest part of the day and protect staff while keeping collections operating smoothly.

Drone footage showed damage at Burlish Top nature reserve in Stourport after a fire broke out around 9:15 p.m. on July 31. Fire crews contained the blaze and prevented more extensive damage. Wyre Forest District Council also reported a second fire on the embankment at Brinton Park in Kidderminster. The causes of both fires remain unknown, while the council warned that dry vegetation can allow discarded cigarettes or unattended barbecues to ignite and rapidly spread fires.

Anthony Gauntlett, 54, of Kidderminster, was fined £4,620, ordered to pay £770 in costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge, and banned from driving for 12 months after being convicted at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court of seven offences involving failure to provide correct driver details. The offences followed speeding incidents in Worcestershire between March 2025 and February 2026, during which he allegedly supplied false or incorrect information to avoid identifying the driver. He received 36 penalty points, while West Mercia Police said speeding puts lives at risk and that it would continue investigating attempts to evade responsibility.

A fire broke out along the Severn Valley Railway line in Bewdley on August 2. Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service sent three crews to tackle flames affecting a 200-by-20-metre railway embankment. Firefighters used four hose reels from three appliances and confirmed the blaze was extinguished at 3:32 p.m.