Prime Minister Andy Burnham urges the public to take a wildfire emergency alert "seriously", after it was sent to millions in England and Wales
The alert warns against "any activity that could start a fire", saying there is a "very high risk of wildfires nationally" - see the full message
This is the biggest use yet of the emergency alert system, writes Chris Mason, as the first secretary of state says the choice to use it "reflects the seriousness with which the government is acting"
It comes after nineteen houses have been "fully destroyed" in Stourbridge as crews continue to tackle multiple blazes in the West Midlands
On a visit to Stourbridge earlier, the PM warned the country is like a "tinderbox" - fires have also been tackled in other parts of England and Wales
Earlier, the fire service said the situation has "vastly improved" in the West Midlands - but people have been returning to destroyed homes. Michael in Pershore described flames spreading from tree-to-tree within seconds
We are also hearing about a fire in Sandyford, Stoke-on-Trent.
BBC reporter Alex Frost is at the scene and says it is in the an area off James Brindley Way.
People are gathered on the street, and there is a cordon, with police clearing the street.
Image source, Jordan Andrew CardWarwickshire Fire and Rescue Service has declared a major incident due to a "large fire" at Tothall Lane, Salford Priors, near Alcester.
A spokesperson said: "There is a large emergency presence in the area and we continue to advise residents nearby to close all doors and windows.
"Please stay away from the area to allow emergency services immediate access and if you live by close all doors and windows."
Jane Baxter, who lives just off Norton Road, says she and her neighbours were evacuated from their homes as a precaution.
Her house backs directly on to Stourbridge Golf Course.
She said she first noticed the smell of smoke at about 13:15 BST before seeing the flames.
"We could see the flames above the rooftops of the houses - that was how high the flames were," she said.
Image source, Chris DunningtonBy about 15:30, police had arrived on her road and told those in the eight homes backing onto the golf course to get out and leave.
She said police told residents that strong and unpredictable winds could cause the fire to spread rapidly.
Baxter said: "The fire has obviously taken hold very quickly and the police said they were concerned."
She is staying at her son's house and has been told she cannot return home until the fire is completely out.
Chris Dunnington, a Stourbridge resident, said his in-laws were evacuated from Osmaston Road, just off Norton Road.
"My mother-in-law is upset because she doesn't want embers landing on her house and because she's been evacuated she can't look after her own house," he said.
"I think they've been evacuated because of the smoke but she's certainly getting worried now."
Image source, Chris DunningtonDescribing the scene, Dunnington said: "The smoke was just insane. It was black smoke from the fields and then we saw the fire coming on to the driveways and fences of the first house.
"The wind picked up so strong so it was just fuelling the flames. It was just the perfect disaster."
Flames are reigniting in Norton Covert, according to a reporter at the scene.
Locals have been seen beating at the flames as the nearest fire engine is out of water.
Here is what we know so far about the fire in Stourbridge, in the West Midlands:
We're also hearing West Midlands Fire Service have been tackling two other major blazes:
We have been sent this footage by Andrew Hope and you can see just how big this fire is.
Smoke has been blowing all around Stourbridge in the West Midlands:
Drone footage of Stourbridge fire
People are being urged to avoid the area in nearby Norton Road in Stourbridge.
Residents have also been told to keep doors and windows shut.
Photos from the scene show several fire engines and other vehicles parked along the street while smoke fills the sky.
Image source, Suzanne Webb
Image source, Suzanne WebbThis dramatic photo from the scene shows a fire engine engulfed in smoke as flames lap over the vehicle.
Image source, West Midlands Fire Service / Michael MorganFormer Stourbridge MP Suzanne Webb, who lives about three-quarters of a mile away from Norton Road, says she found out about the fire from the smell of smoke. She saw ash falling from the sky and "huge plumes of smoke".
Webb says the flames may have spread to Stourbridge Golf Course but this was not yet unconfirmed.
She praised the firefighters tackling the blaze, adding: "To have 60 firefighters there shows you the intensity of it."
People "far and wide out of Stourbridge town" could see the smoke, she told the BBC.
Chris Dunnington was passing Norton Road, Stourbridge while the fire was burning at about 15:00 BST.
He said the "air was filled with smoke" and he saw people "crowding around taking videos".
Image source, Chris Dunnington
Image source, Chris DunningtonNetwork Rail says all services between Stourbridge Junction and Hagley are currently suspended due the fire alongside the track.
"We are supporting the emergency services while they deal with this incident," they said in a statement on X.
West Midlands Fire Service says there have been two people affected by heat and smoke from the fire.
There are understood to be a number of nearby properties experiencing power issues.
Six properties are now affected by the fire, the fire service has confirmed.
They added the blaze was estimated to involve an area of about 40 acres, including a wood.
BBC reporter Ian Murphy said he could smell smoke in the air in Wollaston, a few miles away from the fire.
"The inside of the house smells so strongly that I went to check in the garden and upstairs in case the fire was much closer," he said.
"My parents live round the corner from the fire and said they first noticed it when they went to sit outside at around 13:00 BST.
"They can hear very loud explosions, loud cracking and there's loads of dense smoke in the air."
A huge plume of smoke was reported in the area around Stourbridge Golf Course on Thursday afternoon, from about 13:00 BST.
People have been advised to avoid the area and nearby residents told to keep doors and windows shut.
Image source, Suzanne WebbAbout 60 firefighters are tackling a huge grass fire near a golf course, with flames said by witnesses to be spreading across roads in some places.
The BBC understands a number of properties have been evacuated and some homes have caught fire.
Keep following us for live updates on this breaking story.