Community thank you for action during fires

Dear Resident

This is a message from Superintendent Amandeep Sanghera from the local command team in Sandwell Police.

As you may be aware there were four fires across Sandwell yesterday and a number of other incidents across the West Midlands.

All three emergency services are working in partnership 24/7 to extinguish all fires and keep communities safe.

We are pleased to report that no one was injured during the fires in our area.

Demand on all emergency services has risen and we appreciate your support during this time.

Your local policing teams worked around the clock to safeguard communities by evacuating homes, managing cordons and directing traffic around major incidents.

What particularly shone through yesterday was the community spirit with everyone pulling together to support those in need during these devastating fires. We greatly appreciate all of the community and partner support and thank everyone for allowing our officers to do their jobs.

I would like to personally thank Father Roger Peck from Our Lady and St Hubert's Catholic Church in Oldbury for answering our call for help and for selflessly opening the doors to allow people to seek refuge.

West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) have issued a statement to say that several of the fires in the county have been started deliberately. We therefore urge residents to be alert, to report concerns and to educate their children around the serious harm which can be caused by starting fires. Offenders will be prosecuted.

In addition, WMFS are warning around the dangers of barbeques, fireworks, cigarettes, and bonfires during this time, as a serious risk that can cause accidental fires. Find out more about heatwave safety on their website - Heatwave Safety - West Midlands Fire Service

Sandwell Police are committed to tackling antisocial behaviour and taking positive action to arrest suspects where offenders have been identified. We have already arrested two young people for arson over the last few weeks and urge the public to report their concerns to us via 101 or anonymously to CrimeStoppers.

As well as evacuating people from their homes, our officers worked extended hours to safeguard family pets, carrying budgies and tortoise to a safe place along with their owners.

We would like to acknowledge some of our response officers for extinguishing fires using their personal and public safety training and in-car equipment. Our officers were successful in preventing the spread of fire before West Midlands Fire Service could be on scene.

Remember that if you are faced with a fire, please do not risk tackling it yourself. Get to a safe place and call 999.

If you have any information on individuals causing or starting fires, please call 101 and report your concerns or you can contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you are concerned about the impact a fire could have in your area, evacuating your home, community or business, West Midlands Resilience Forum can help. Follow the advice on their website - Be ready – West Midlands Resilience Forum