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 describes flames spreading from tree-to-tree
This video from the fire in Stourbridge, sent to the BBC by someone helping in the aftermath, shows the scene of devastation in the area.
A fire rages inside a severely damaged home - missing its doors, windows and roof - with scorched earth and burnt out trees nearby.
Footage shows devastation in Stourbridge
Disruption of some West Midlands Railway (WMR) services will continue until the the end of today, the firm says.
Due to a fire affecting a property between Stourbridge Junction and Worcester Shrub Hilll, fewer trains are able to run on all lines and services could be either cancelled or delayed.
Customers can use their tickets on rail replacement buses operating between the two stations until further notice, WMR said.
Image source, WMCAWhile pockets of smoke are continuing to emerge in Stourbridge, the fire service has thanked the community for their support.
"As we continue our work at the scene, we would like to thank everyone who has supported our response so far – both inside and outside the fire service," a spokesperson added.
"We have been truly taken aback by the community response, kindness and support in the Stourbridge area.
"We are doing everything we can to support people who have been affected by this fire, but we must ask that people stay away from the scene at this time. This request is likely to be in place for sometime."
They said anyone affected by the smoke should close their windows and doors.
These images from BBC Radio Stoke's Ethan Saunders show smoke rising from the scene of the fire on Sandy Road in Stoke-on-Trent.
Residents tell him they believe at least six houses have been severely damaged in the blaze.
Druids Heath homes destroyed in fire
In an update posted earlier, West Midlands Fire Service said it currently had crews "tactically working" across several sites at the fire in Stourbridge, with "progress being made at the scene".
Crews have been deployed in the following areas:
Good morning and welcome back to our live coverage as crews continue to tackle fires across the West Midlands.
On Thursday, about 100 firefighters fought a huge blaze near Stourbridge Golf Course, which spread rapidly through dry grass and woodland, setting alight six homes.
West Midlands Fire Service chief officer Simon Tuhill said "the devastation" had been extensive.
He said the wildfires across the West Midlands have been "one of the most significant" incidents the region’s fire service has ever dealt with.
Elsewhere in the region, four homes were destroyed by fire in Stoke-on-Trent, a woman was seriously injured in a blaze in Castle Vale, Birmingham, and a major incident was declared because of a fire in Warwickshire.
Fires also broke out in Birmingham's Druids Heath and Kings Norton, as well as in Pershore, Worcestershire.
The major incident in Salford Priors, near Alcester was later stood down as fire crews brought the blaze under control.
The current scene in Stourbridge shows smoke still rising from Thursday's fires
Joe Coughlan
Live reporter
Aerial footage showed homes on fire in Stourbridge
Fires across the West Midlands have caused "extensive" devastation, the region's chief fire officer Simon Tuhill has said - adding that "tinder-dry conditions" have allowed the fires to spread rapidly.
About 100 firefighters have been tackling a huge grass fire in Stourbridge, which has spread to several homes. Footage showed buildings engulfed in flames.
"We think at this moment the fire started not in one of the homes and spread to the fields, but from the grassland and into the homes," Tuhill said earlier.
Our reporter in the town, Ben Sidwell, said he was "stunned by the devastation" he had seen.
Meanwhile, four homes have been destroyed by a fire in Sandyford, Stoke-on-Trent, and a woman was seriously injured from a fire that ripped through houses in Castle Vale, Birmingham.
Multiple fires were also reported across Birmingham's Druids Heath and Kings Norton.
A major incident over a large fire in Warwickshire has since been stood down, while a blaze in Pershore, Worcestershire, is now under control.
Across the region, three members of the fire service were taken to hospital - as well as two members of the public in Stourbridge due to smoke inhalation.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham called the scenes "awful" - while offering a "huge thank you" to the firefighters across the region.
We're pausing our live coverage now - but will be back on Friday morning for more live reporting from across the region.
Image source, PA MediaBurned woods in Stourbridge earlier this evening
Image source, PA MediaRichard Cartwright, from Stourbridge, says his friend called him in a "panicked" state as flames began heading towards his house.
"When I got down there he was battling the flames. The woods were full of smoke.
"Every time the winds changed you couldn't breath for the smoke.
"There was one bit of the fire that was a bit too big for us to bat and then a fire shot up the trees, 30 feet up.
"We are all fine but there was loads of people from Sandy Road using hosepipes just trying to do what they could."
This footage from earlier showed a destroyed home in Stourbridge
Richard Price
BBC News, West Midlands
I've been to the Goldenhill Community Centre in Stoke-on-Trent, where several families are being put up after being forced from their homes by the fire today.
Chris and Pauline Norcup are among those here. They were out in Liverpool for the day when they found out about the huge blaze.
"When you look at the house [opposite] we can see that the moment, [it's] really devastated, the roof’s out and everything," Chris told me.
Pauline added: "We’ve got off the bus, saw the fire engines and thought 'oh crikey'. We got down there and [the police] said 'you can’t go back home'."
Four homes were destroyed by the fire in Sandyford, Stoke-on-Trent, one resident told us earlier, with others damaged.
Richard Price
BBC News, West Midlands
Firefighters have scaled down their presence at the fire they have been tackling in the Goldenhill area of Stoke-on-Trent.
At its peak, about 40 were on the scene but, with the blaze contained by 21:00 BST on Thursday, they reduced their crews.
Several residents have been supported at the Goldenhill Community Centre as they were forced to leave their homes.
Among them was Robert Windsor's mother. He said they smelt what they thought at first was leaves burning at 16:30.
"Within minutes, we looked across the roads and saw the conifers ablaze… basically I just had to get out and go, it was absolute carnage," he told me.
“I think everybody will rally round.
“Until I look from my mother’s house, halfway up, and see the actual damage, I dread to think [what the situation will be]."
Image source, ReutersThe prime minister has just sent this message on social media about the West Midlands fires.
"Awful to see homes and communities hit by fires across the country tonight as the heatwave continues.
"My thoughts are with everyone affected, particularly those who have been injured or forced from their homes, and with the firefighters who have been taken to hospital.
"I’m in touch with local leaders like [West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker] and will be speaking to emergency services on the ground as they continue their response.
"Our firefighters are working in incredibly difficult conditions and putting themselves at risk to keep others safe.
"A huge thank you to them and everyone supporting the effort tonight. Please stay safe and follow their advice."
West Midlands fire chief Simon Tuhill says an investigation will be carried out into how the Stourbridge fire started.
"We will carry out a joint investigation with police colleagues and our specialist fire investigation team," the PA news agency reports Tuhill as saying to a reporter earlier.
"We think at this moment the fire started not in one of the homes and spread to the fields, but from the grassland and into the homes."
Ben Sidwell
BBC Midlands Today
I’ve seen properties in Stourbridge that have been completely destroyed by fire and others that have been badly damaged.
We’ve been told by residents that flames were 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.6m) high in places, and the fire spread indiscriminately across parts of the town.
I’m stunned by the devastation I’ve seen today.
Speaking after Tuhill, Nathan Hudson, the chief operating officer for the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said today has been an "extremely busy day" for the service.
He said three double crewed ambulances and the service's hazardous area response team were sent to Norton Road, in Stourbridge.
The chief operating officer said six people were treated by crews at the scene, with two patients being taken to hospital after suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation, and four being discharged at the scene.
More now from the West Midlands chief fire officer.
"The devastation is extensive," Simon Tuhill says.
He said the wildfires across the West Midlands have been "one of the most significant" incidents the region’s fire service has ever dealt with.
Tuhill said Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been kept updated on developments across the region.
Chief fire officer Simon Tuhill of West Midlands Fire Service has told reporters that the fires are a "large and complex incident" that has occurred on one of the hottest days of the year.
"Our fire control team have been dealing with thousands of 999 calls, whilst coordinating attendance at other operational incidents across the West Midlands," he said.
"The tinder-dry conditions that the country and the West Midlands are facing at the moment has meant that the fire has spread rapidly, despite the hundred-plus firefighters’ best efforts who are on scene and in attendance."
"Rest assured, they are doing everything they can to bring this incident to a safe conclusion."
We'll bring you more from the news conference soon
Ben Sidwell
BBC Midlands Today
Image source, PA MediaSeveral homes have been badly damaged by the fire in Stourbridge this afternoon and evening, which the fire service said covered about 40 acres of land, including a wood.
Footage circulating on social media showed a number of buildings on fire and huge plumes of smoke coming from a nearby field.
The fire service said flames were spreading “across roads in places”, with people urged to stay indoors.
At one stage, firefighters were battling the flames from the railway line between Hagley and Stourbridge Junction.
Image source, Calvin DaviesA major incident at Salford Priors, near Alcester in Warwickshire, has been stood down, the county's fire and rescue service said.
Fire crews are still at the scene, a spokesperson added, but it was no longer being treated as a major incident.
The A46 has reopened to traffic in both directions between Salford Bridge and Arrow Services.
"Please continue to keep windows and doors closed and avoid the area where possible," the fire service added.
Richard Price
BBC News, West Midlands
There is a police cordon at the bottom of Sandy Lane in Stoke-on-Trent with a number of residents gathered after the fire broke out earlier in the Sandyford area and some of those gathered here have been displaced from their homes.
From here we can see a fire engine with an aerial platform currently working on the fire and a firefighter unrolling a hosepipe in the direction of the blaze, which is further up the street.
It seems relatively calm here but smoke can still be seen billowing from the rooftops further along the street and there is a strong smell of smoke in the air too.