Fifteen evacuated from their homes in Lickey Hills fire

Twelve fire crews have been fighting a serious fire in the Lickey Hills.

Crews from Hereford & Worcester, West Midlands and Shropshire Fire and Rescue Services were called this afternoon at 13:15 to the incident which occurred in an area bordered to the south by Rose Hill, to the west by Eachway Lane and to the north and east by the B4120 and Leach Green Lane.

Initially, the fire covered around around 400 square metres but this eventually increased to around 50,000 sq m.

Firefighting was hampered by heat, humidity and the terrain as crews battled to stop the spread of the fire which was fanned by a southerly wind.

Fifteen people, including four children, had to be evacuated from three properties off Eachway Lane.