Woman dies in ‘severe fire’ at two-storey house in West Midlands

Firefighters remain at the scene of a fatal house fire in Smethwick, West Midlands, where a woman died in the early hours of Saturday. Picture date: Saturday July 31, 2021.
Firefighters remain at the scene of a fatal house fire in Smethwick, West Midlands, where a woman died in the early hours of Saturday. Picture date: Saturday July 31, 2021. (PA)

A woman has died after a “severe fire” at a two-storey house in the West Midlands.

West Midlands Fire Service said it responded to reports of a house fire in Harvest Road, Smethwick, at 4.35am on Saturday.

Four fire engines and 19 firefighters responded, from Oldbury, West Bromwich, Woodgate Valley and Smethwick fire stations.

The service described the incident as “a severe fire which affected all of the semi-detached house”.

A woman believed to be in her 30s, who was found unconscious in a bedroom and rescued by firefighters, was confirmed dead shortly afterwards.

A man and a woman, believed to be in their 50s, were led to safety and given first aid by fire crews.

They were taken to hospital by the ambulance service.

House fire in Smethwick
Firefighters worked to clear debris from the incident on Saturday (Steve Parsons/PA)

The fire service added: “Our thoughts are with them and everyone affected by this incident.

“The fire was confirmed to be out by 6.20am and, an hour later, our resources at the scene were scaled down to one fire engine.

“Investigators from West Midlands Fire Service will be working with police colleagues to establish how the fire started.”

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