Europe battles wildfires as child and three firefighters hospitalised in England
A child and three firefighters have been hospitalised after a wildfire in Stourbridge, while extreme heat fuels blazes in France, Greece and Croatia.
Countries across Europe are struggling to contain wildfires during an exceptionally hot summer. In Stourbridge, England, a child and three firefighters were taken to hospital following a wildfire. Thursday was England’s hottest day of the year, and although temperatures are expected to ease slightly on Friday, they will still reach the low to mid-30s.
UK prime minister Andy Burnham thanked firefighters tackling the West Midlands blaze and said his thoughts were with everyone affected. He said he had been in touch with local leaders, including West Midlands mayor Richard Parker, and would speak to emergency services. He urged people to stay safe and follow advice.
West Midlands Fire Service chief fire officer Simon Tuhill described the large Stourbridge fire as one of the most significant incidents the service had ever faced. The fire generated thousands of 999 calls and caused extensive devastation. On Friday morning, the service said crews were making progress and working tactically across several areas of the site.
In France, another hot day is expected after temperatures reached 41C on Thursday. More than 500 people were evacuated from the Landes region in the southwest.
In Greece, hundreds of tourists were evacuated from Halkidiki, where firefighters are battling a large blaze amid gale-force winds.
In Croatia, at least 19 people were injured in a fire near the tourist town of Omiš, with two requiring hospitalisation in Split.
