Fire crews from the West Midlands Fire Service attended a substantial blaze at Dudley Wood Playing Fields on Cradley Road, Netherton on Saturday afternoon, 25 July, after the fire was reported shortly before 3pm.
What happened
Crews arriving on scene found a "significant" area of grass and vegetation alight. A fire engine from Brierley Hill and a 4x4 brigade response vehicle from Haden Cross were mobilised. Firefighters used a hose reel and ground beaters to bring the flames under control and left the incident at 4.07pm.
"Shortly before 3pm on Saturday (July 25), we responded to Dudley Wood Playing Fields, Cradley Road, Netherton... A fire engine from Brierley Hill and a 4x4 brigade response vehicle from Haden Cross attended... We left this incident at 4.07pm."
Local impact and observations
Photos shared on social media over the weekend show large swathes of scorched grass around the playing fields close to The Woodman pub, with heavy smoke reported in the area. The grassland adjacent to Saltwells Road was described as left completely destroyed by the fire.
- Location: Dudley Wood Playing Fields, Cradley Road, Netherton
- Time reported: shortly before 3pm, Saturday 25 July
- Resources: Brierley Hill fire engine; Haden Cross 4x4 brigade response vehicle
- Outcome: fire extinguished; area left scorched; incident believed to be deliberate
Response and next steps
West Midlands Fire Service’s assessment that the blaze is "believed to have been started deliberately" points to potential arson. At this stage there have been no reports in the source material of arrests or identified suspects. Local residents and visitors who saw the incident or who have information that may assist the investigation are likely to be asked to contact the fire service or the police.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Call received | Shortly before 3pm, 25 July |
| Units on scene | Brierley Hill fire engine; Haden Cross 4x4 |
| Tools used | Hose reel and ground beaters |
| Incident closed | 4.07pm |
Practical information for residents
People living nearby who noticed smoke or whose properties may have been affected by smoke should check for any lingering hotspots and report concerns to the fire service. Avoid approaching the scorched area until it has been declared safe. If you have mobile phone video or photos that were taken at the time, they could be valuable to investigators.
This incident is the latest reminder of the risks of fires on open grassland in dry conditions and of the disruptive impact deliberate blazes have on local green spaces. The playing fields remain an important recreational area for the community; authorities will need to assess the damage and any restoration work required.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor updates from West Midlands Fire Service and local police about any investigation into the cause of the blaze.
