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Community rallies after homes gutted by huge fire

Kathryn Stanczyszyn,in Kings Nortonand
Oprah Flash,West Midlands
News imageBBC Hazel Tompkins is wearing a blue and white floral-patterned top stands in the foreground of a fire-damaged residential area. Behind the person are heavily charred homes, blackened walls and debris, with signs of extensive fire damage to the properties and surrounding gardens. The image is focused on the person, while the burnt buildings in the background are slightly blurred, highlighting the scale of destruction caused by the blaze.BBC
Hazel Tompkins said she was one of the lucky ones whose homes were not completely devastated by the fire

"I'm lucky that my house is all right considering they've lost everything," said Hazel Tompkins, as she stands in the scorched remains of her garden.

Just over a week ago, four houses in her Kings Norton neighbourhood were completely gutted when a major fire spread through parts of Hillmeads Road, Birmingham, on 13 August.

As the devastated residents scramble to rebuild their lives, a Stourbridge-based charity has raised more than £4,000 to support them.

"It's just destruction, I feel lost," Tompkins, who has lived in her home for 35 years, added.

In the moments leading up to the fire, she was in her garden enjoying the warm weather with her daughter when she suddenly "felt a great heat" and spotted the flames.

News imageA row of residential properties is shown after a major fire, with extensive damage visible across several homes. Charred walls, burnt-out rooms and blackened rooflines can be seen, while the foreground contains scorched fencing, debris and the remains of trees or garden structures that have been reduced to blackened posts. A ladder leans against one of the damaged buildings, and scattered household items remain among the wreckage. The scene is photographed in daylight under a bright blue sky, highlighting the scale of the destruction.
Police are investigating the fire as an arson after four homes were gutted

She raced to call 999 and was evacuated shortly afterwards from her home along with her neighbours, until later that night.

The fire and its path was captured on CCTV footage, which showed how the wind helped to spread the flames to neighbouring properties, gardens and conservatories, Tompkins told the BBC.

"Some neighbours have lost absolutely everything," she added. "All I've lost is my garden. I'm lucky that my house is all right, considering they've lost everything.

"Because of all the fires in Birmingham, it's like we were last on the list to get to.

"I think if the fire brigade had come [earlier] it wouldn't have been so bad. I thought I was going to lose my house."

News imageA fire-damaged garden is shown with charred fence posts, burnt debris and damaged outdoor furniture scattered across a patio area. In the background, several homes display extensive fire damage, including blackened walls and destroyed sections of the buildings. Among the wreckage are household ornaments, a bench and scorched garden features, illustrating the impact of the blaze on both the properties and surrounding outdoor spaces.
Although living just feet away from the blaze, only Hazel Tompkins's garden was destroyed

West Midlands Fire Service crews were dealing with "an exceptional and highly unusual level of simultaneous operational demand" across the region, a spokesperson said about that day.

"We recognise that some residents experienced response times longer than we would normally expect, and we understand the concern and frustration this may have caused," they added.

A man, 55, was arrested on suspicion of arson endangering life in connection with the blaze, West Midlands Police confirmed. No injuries were reported.

For those who have lost their homes, Vi Wood, the founder of the not-for-profit initiative Leslie's Care Packages, stepped in to help.

The group offers support to families, the elderly and rough sleepers by providing essentials such as food, toiletries, clothing and small household items.

As wildfires razed parts of Stourbridge and Birmingham on that day, including Gildas Avenue, Castle Vale, Druids Heath and Highters Heath, Wood issued an appeal for help.

Within two days, more than £10,000 had been donated.

News imageVi Wood is wearing a black sleeveless top with a leopard-print neckline is seated outdoors in a park or garden setting. Trees, flowerbeds and a pathway are visible in the background, with bright sunshine and clear skies illuminating the scene. The photograph is focused on the person in the foreground, while the surrounding greenery and landscaping are softly blurred.
Vi Wood helped raise thousands of pounds for fire-hit families

Of the total, more than £4,000 was given to the residents of Hillmeads Road.

"They are absolutely grateful. They can't believe how much a community has come together in helping them," Wood told the BBC.

"I've tried to replace their clothing and their food. Yesterday, I donated a £200 voucher to a young lady for makeup because it gave her confidence using it on herself and her friends, but she lost it all.

"They haven't just lost their belongings, it's their personal stuff, the comfort of home they had and we can never replace it but we can let them know they're not on their own.

"So many donations been given that our town hall in Stourbridge is still full. People who have been affected by the fire can go there and get food or clothing."

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