Homes evacuated as fires rage across cities

People had to leave their homes after dozens of firefighters were called to a large fire that broke out in a field, as well as four others across the West Midlands.

Fire crews were called to Clayhanger Common by Clayhanger Road, near Lindon Road, Walsall, shortly after 15:20 BST.

Nearby homes were evacuated at first, but residents were later allowed to return to them, West Midlands Police said.

Fire crews were also called to grass fires in four other parts of the region - Sheepwash Lane in Tipton; Brownshill Green Road in Coventry; Warrens Hall Nature Reserve in Dudley and a large fire in Gildas Avenue in Kings Norton, Birmingham.

The fire was about 200 sqm in size, according to the fire service, which added it was affected about half of the 70-acre field.

Eight fire crews were sent to the scene and needed to use water from the nearby canal to tackle it.

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