People who fled Stourbridge fires start to return home

Among those who have been able to return home are the Abdullah family, who fled as they were preparing to head to a local Wetherspoons pub to celebrate 18-year-old Dominic’s A-level results.

Dominic told the BBC that nothing could describe the feeling of watching his neighbours houses burn.

“Seeing the houses go down, seeing neighbours we know – their rooftops just burning, the whole street covered in smoke,” he said.

His mother said they smelt smoke and when they saw their neighbours leaving their homes they ran for their lives.

In Stoke-on-Trent, four homes were completely destroyed by a fire that started in a park in Sandyford and 13 other homes suffered structural, roof and window damage.

Marie Leese told how her treasured garden went up in flames after fire ripped through properties in Maureen Avenue.

When she was allowed to return home, she discovered she had also lost the summer house her husband built before he died three years ago.

Police have arrested a man and woman on suspicion of arson in connection with the Stoke-on-Trent fire.

Investigators are still working on what caused the blaze in Stourbridge.

A fundraiser created by Dudley Council to help residents “rebuild their lives” has surpassed £25,000.

Another by the Heart of England Community Foundation to help families impacted by fires across the West Midlands has hit £50,000.