Latest news with #HerefordWorcesterFire
BBC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Claverley wildfire battled by crews from three counties
A major wildfire on the Shropshire-Staffordshire border is being fought by a total of 13 blaze in a field of straw broke out at about 09:30 BST around Long Common in Claverley, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) fire, which involves about one hectare of field and woodland, was spreading further, the service is also being provided by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Hereford and Worcester Fire & Rescue Service. SFRS asked the public to stay away to allow the firefighters clear access. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'Outpouring of grief' as fire destroys historic Raven hotel in Droitwich
Fire crews are still working to put out the remnants of a devastating blaze that ripped through a historic former hotel in Droitwich fire started on Sunday at the Grade II-listed Raven Hotel, in St Andrews Street, which closed as a hotel more than a decade councillor for Droitwich, Neil Franks, said it was "heartbreaking to watch", and locals had gathered outside, some crying over what had BBC has contacted Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and West Mercia Police for comment. "Bit by bit seeing it crumbling, going up in ash, and the outpouring of grief on the streets and on social media was very difficult to watch as well," Franks told BBC Hereford and Worcester."The Raven meant so much to the town, and it's truly heartbreaking." "The town is angry - angry with the developer, angry with whatever caused the actual fire to happen, and they're angry at the council... I'm not part of the ruling party, but I think there are questions to be asked to be honest."He added that there had been "many broken promises" by the developer, Live Urban Two."Whatever happens going forward needs to be community-led," he told the BBC."I'm just hoping that the Raven sign survives; we can get hold of it before the building is most likely demolished so we can restore it and hopefully take control of the area and put something up in its stead… and maybe we can attach the raven sign as a bare minimum going forwards.""Everyone said it was going to happen, everybody."The BBC has contacted Wychavon District Council for comment but has been unable to contact Live Urban Two. Leader of Wychavon District Council, Richard Morris, said he had been fighting for more to be done with the building."One reason why I took over the leadership of Wychavon in May was to try and get more action and more work done to get to a solution on it," he council was undertaking works to the building after the developers missed a court deadline to carry out urgent repairs."We were about a week away from that being completed - that's part of the tragedy - then we would've invoiced the owners, and they would've had 21 days to pay up," he told the said the owners were based internationally but had spoken to their spokesperson, who he believed would visit the site on Tuesday."The pressure from myself and my colleagues has been there," he added."I fear there's no hope for it. I fear it's lost." A complicated history The hotel has a complex history. In 2022, plans were approved to convert the hotel into 48 homes and flats, including development of the brine baths, which closed in a separate building in July 2024, the developer was warned that urgent steps were needed to protect the building or it would face legal action. The work had to be carried out within seven council said it wanted to see damage to the roof repaired and security fencing installed. The public had raised concerns over vandalism at the site, reporting that thieves had removed roof tiles and exposed the building to the mid-August, work began, and contractors boarded up smashed windows, repaired damage to the roof, and blocked off access to deter in November, Wychavon District Council secured a court order which gave the owner until 8 December to complete work on the Urban Two was told to reinstall props on the ground floor of the building to prevent further collapse of the first followed an incident on 24 September when parts of the guttering on the section of the building fell into the 19 December, the district council said the developer had missed the deadline to take the time, councillor Richard Morris said: "We'll ensure the necessary work is carried out as soon as is practically possible.""We've also asked officers to explore all available options to safeguard the building's future." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Redditch flat badly damaged as blaze rips through home
Firefighters have been tackling a serious blaze inside a & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said five fire engines, including ones from Warwickshire, were sent to Oxhill Close, Redditch, just after 19:00 BST on Thursday and found a "well-developed" than 20 firefighters worked for about 90 minutes to put the blaze out - the fire service has not said if anyone was hurt.A spokesperson added that investigators were working to find out what caused the blaze. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Train smashes into tractor on level crossing leaving six people hurt
A train has collided with a tractor on a level crossing, leaving multiple people injured. Emergency services including ambulances and the air ambulance were scrambled to the scene near Leominster, Herefordshire, shortly after 10:45am. At least six people have been hurt in the incident at Nordan Farm on board the Manchester to Cardiff service. Fortunately the train was not derailed. The condition of the tractor driver is unknown. Rail services between Hereford and Craven Arms have been suspended after the 8:30 train from Manchester Piccadilly struck the vehicle on the crossing between Ludlow and Leominster. National Rail has said all lines are blocked in the area and services between Hereford and Craven Arms are expected to be cancelled or altered until at least 7pm. West Mercia Police, British Transport Police, West Midlands Ambulance Service, the Air Ambulance and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service have all attended the incident. Fire engines from seven different stations rushed to the scene. A spokesperson for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said: 'Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews from Hereford, Malvern, Redditch, Wyre Forest, Leintwardine, Tenbury Wells and Leominster Fire Stations were called at 10:52 on 22 May to an incident with a train, consisting of five carriages and carrying 66 people in collision with an agricultural trailer unit near Orleton. 'Six people have been handed over to the care of the ambulance service (log 1314) with minor injuries. 'Police are also in attendance, as are Network Rail. 'There is no fire and the train was not derailed but there will be some disruption to the line.' A spokesperson for National Rail said: 'A train hitting an obstruction on the line between Hereford and Craven Arms means that all lines are blocked.'
BBC News
07-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Hereford's historic May Fair interrupted by fire at food stall
Fire breaks out at city's historic May Fair Plumes of smoke were visible in the city A fire has broken out in Hereford city centre during its annual historic May Fair. About 20 firefighters have been sent to the scene in Commercial Street, where it is thought a mobile food stall is on fire, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said. Plumes of smoke can be seen rising from the blaze, which was reported to emergency crews at about 11:00 BST. A traditional ceremony was held on Tuesday to officially open the fair, which has taken place in the town for more than 900 years.
