London Fire Brigade answered 754 calls during West Midlands wildfires

London Fire Brigade (LFB) answered 754 calls on 13 August to assist West Midlands and Staffordshire Fire Services during a period of intense demand. The support was provided as part of national arrangements when the services faced unprecedented call volumes due to multiple wildfires across the regions. Michael Morgan, a resident, reported being surprised when his call about flames in Stourbridge was handled by LFB staff located approximately 100 miles away.

Impact of the Wildfires

The wildfires led to significant property loss. In Stourbridge alone, 19 homes were destroyed. Additional losses included about a dozen homes in Birmingham, four in Stoke-on-Trent, three in Pershore, Worcestershire, and three in Willenhall, near Wolverhampton. While the causes of most fires are under investigation, a barbecue was confirmed to have started the blaze in Stoke-on-Trent due to dry conditions. Firefighters described the scale of the incidents as unlike anything they had experienced, with one noting it was fortunate no lives were lost.

Calls for Improved Planning and Resources

Martin Starkey, regional chair for the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) in the West Midlands, highlighted a long-term decline in firefighter numbers and appliance availability since 2008. He called for increased staffing to reduce the time crews spend at incidents and for investment in equipment. Starkey also emphasised the need for more national pre-planning to support fire services when they are stretched. He noted that while the scale of simultaneous fires was unprecedented, similar hot weather events in 2018 and 2022 had also strained fire services.

Figures provided by the FBU indicate a 20% reduction in firefighters across the UK in 2025 compared to 2010. The West Midlands experienced a quarter fewer firefighters in 2025 than 15 years prior, and Staffordshire Fire Service saw a reduction of 27.2%. Starkey stated that firefighters were exhausted and needed more staff and better equipment to effectively combat such events.

Government Response

Following the fires, the Prime Minister visited Stourbridge and announced that the government would commission firefighting planes to assist in tackling future wildfires. This initiative aims to provide aerial resources that were unavailable during the recent incidents. Phil Garrigan, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, confirmed that discussions are ongoing regarding investment in firefighting capabilities, including aerial support. The government also temporarily banned disposable barbecues.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government was contacted for comment, and the Staffordshire Police and Fire Commissioner declined to respond. The events have led to calls for rapid improvements in the fire and rescue service's preparedness and resources.