Huge fire breaks out at Lickey Hills Country Park
Fire crews say they are tackling a large wildfire at Lickey Hills Country Park, South West of Birmingham.
Emergency services were called to the beauty spot around 13:15 this afternoon (18 July).
Crews from Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Worcester and Redditch Fire Stations are fighting the fire in the area of Rose Hill in Rednal.
They are joined by West Midlands Fire Service crews from Kings Norton and Woodgate Valley.
Firefighters say an area of approximately 5 hectares, which is about the size of 5 football pitches is on fire and residents in the area are being urged to keep their windows and doors closed.
Fifteen people, including four children, had to be evacuated from three properties off Eachway Lane.
People are being urged to avoid the area, with emergency services stressing "this is not the time to come for a walk".
Lickey Hills Country Park has written on social media saying: "Rednal hill has a major fire and someone had a disposable BBQ on Bilberry hill which just set the ground on fire."
The cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.
A statement from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service said: "Crews from Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Worcester and Redditch Fire Stations are currently fighting a fire in the open in the area of Rose Hill in Rednal in the Lickey Hills. West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service crews from Kings Norton and Woodgate Valley are also in attendance.
"An area of approximately 400 sq mtrs is well alight and people are asked to stay away from the area - residents are asked to keep their doors and windows closed."