Words by Ed King
A fire that ransacked three bungalows on Tangmere Drive in Castle Vale yesterday has put two local residents in hospital.
Both initially attended to at the scene by ambulance crews a man was treated for a “medical incident” whilst a woman was also treated for “potentially serious injuries”, before being dispatched for hospital care.
No further casualties were reported, and it is believed the two people conveyed for hospital care are in a stable condition.
At around 1:15pm on Thursday 13 August, fire was seen coming out of the front of a bungalow on Tangmere Drive, before quickly spreading to the two neighbouring premises.
Local residents called the emergency services, who attended the scene and quickly controlled the blaze before it spread further.
The properties are owned and managed by The Pioneer Group, Castle Vale’s largest social landlord with over 2500 residential homes in its portfolio.
In a public statement issued at 5:25pm on the day of the fire, The Pioneer Group stated their “staff have been on site supporting those affected” and asked for “members of the public to avoid the area if possible.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Ambulance Service told Castle Vale Local: “We were called to a fire on Tangmere Drive in Castle Vale, Birmingham at 1.24pm and sent two ambulances, two paramedic officers and a critical care paramedic to the scene.
“On arrival, crews found a man who was treated for a medical incident and conveyed to hospital. A woman was also treated for potentially serious injuries and was also conveyed to hospital.”
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service added: “Shortly after 1.20pm on Thursday (13 August), we responded to Bond Drive, Castle Vale, Birmingham.
“Five fire engines and two brigade response vehicles attended, arriving to find a house fire in a single-storey terraced bungalow. The fire had spread to two neighbouring properties.
“Two casualties were treated by paramedics at the scene. Police colleagues attend to assist with traffic management.
“Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and at present, one fire engine remains in attendance damping down hotspots.”
Occurring on one of the hottest days on record, the fire at the residential properties came only a few weeks before a suspected arson attack saw a large part of Castle Vale Meadows destroyed – with police believing the dried out nature reserve was deliberately set alight.
The cause of the fire at the Tangmere Drive properties has yet to be confirmed.
Castel Vale landlords, The Pioneer Group, further asked for “people to avoid speculation” whilst the incident is investigated by the responsible authorities
Fire destroys bungalows on Tangmere Drive, Castle Vale – footage supplied by local residents
