// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Stourbridge fires that razed 19 homes accidental
The day after the fires the government sent out an emergency alert
Two fires that destroyed 19 homes in Stourbridge were started accidentally in fields where farming machinery was in use, according to West Midlands Fire Service.
Investigators established agricultural equipment was being used in the vicinity of fields immediately before the fires were first reported. The service would not confirm the type of machinery.
The first fire started in a field near Racecourse Lane at about 13:27 BST on 13 August, while a second began shortly afterwards in a field near Quarry Park Road.
The day after the fires the government sent out an emergency alert to millions of people across England and Wales, warning them against "any activity that could start a fire".
The fires started in fields where agricultural machinery was being used
Justifying why the alert had been sent, Prime Minister Andy Burham said: "I was in Stourbridge today and saw first-hand the devastating impact these fires have had on people's homes and lives."
The Stourbridge blaze was one of the most significant incidents West Midlands Fire Service had ever dealt with, Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill said. A major incident had been called as the wildfire spread across more than 500 acres and destroyed the 19 homes.
Tuhill said on Wednesday so many people had been affected he wanted to confirm both fires were not started deliberately. They were accidental, he said.
"While investigations continue into the full circumstances of what happened, we wanted to share this latest update as soon as possible," he continued.