Multiple houses are on fire and people have been evacuated from their homes following an “extensive” fire in Stourbridge, West Midlands Fire Service said.

The blaze, which left two casualties affected by the heat and smoke, is impacting six properties, the service added.

Care home residents have also been evacuated alongside others as a result of the fire, Wollaston & Stourbridge Town councillor Andrew Southall said.

Around 60 firefighters attended the scene near Stourbridge golf course after being alerted to the blaze at around 1.30pm, with the fire service saying that more resources were added throughout the afternoon.

Resident Phillip Jones, who lives close to where the fire in Stourbridge has taken hold, told : “We noticed the smoke about one o’clock this afternoon, coming back from an orthodontist appointment and it just got thicker and thicker.

“It was quite hard to breathe, actually, when we left the car, getting to the home. I am at home and have locked up all the windows.

“There has been a steady stream of fire engines, police cars, helicopters above. A number of roads have been closed, a number of our friends have been evacuated from their homes.”

He added: “We have grab bags by the door, ready to leave if we have to leave, but it hasn’t come to that yet, thankfully for us.

“There’s a lot of concern but there’s a lot of rallying around as well, lots of offering, you know, clothes, food, places to shelter, the local church has opened up.”

West Midlands Fire Service reported "extreme levels of demand" after homes were threatened by the major blazes.

The grass fire follows scorching temperatures across the region and other parts of the UK.

Drone video shared by the service showed a thermal map of flames threatening nearby homes as heavy smoke drifted over the town.

Stourbridge town hall has now opened as a rescue centre for displaced residents.

In a statement on its incidents page, West Midlands Fire Service said: “Around 60 firefighters are tackling an extensive grass fire near Stourbridge golf course, in the Racecourse Lane area.

“We were first alerted to it just before 1.30pm on Thursday.

“Flames are spreading across roads in places. Please avoid the area.

“If smoke is affecting your home or workplace, keep doors and windows closed as a precaution.”

The fire service added that flames were spreading “across roads in places”, with people urged to stay indoors.

The M6 northbound near Birmingham has been closed between junction 5 and 6 as a result of smoke from nearby wildfires, with delays of up to two hours.

Junction 5 is the Castle Bromwich Interchange and junction 6 is Gravelly Hill, also known as Spaghetti Junction.

“Thick smoke is blowing across the carriageway; closures have been implemented for safety reasons,” National Highways West Midlands said.

“Southbound carriageway remains open at this time, however reduced speeds are in place.”

In an update, the highways agency said: “The fire keeps igniting. Fire commander at the scene not happy for M6 to reopened until fire fully extinguished.

“Delays building, 120 mins and 5 miles of congestion.”

Meanwhile, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said they are responding to a “large fire” in Salford Priors, Stratford-on-Avon. It urged residents in the area to close all doors and windows.

Police, fire crews and ambulances are at the scene of the wildfire which has been declared a major incident.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service were called at 2.30pm on Thursday to reports of a large plume of smoke on Tothall Lane, Salford Priors in Stratford-on-Avon.

The fire service said: “On arrival crews discovered a wildfire which was spreading to nearby out-buildings.

“There are currently 10 appliances in attendance. This incident has been declared a major incident.

“We would like to express that there is a large emergency presence in the area and we continue to advise residents nearby to close all doors and windows.

“Please stay away from the area. Our control room is receiving a large number of calls, so please contact us only in a genuine emergency.

“It’s imperative that residents take all steps to reduce any fire risk. Please read advice on our social media channels about fire and water safety.

“West Midlands Ambulance Service and Warwickshire Police are also on scene.”

More to follow...