Stourbridge hotel evacuated after underground fire breaks out

Crews from West Midlands Fire Service were called to the Talbot Hotel at around 12.15pm after reports of a fire, with smoke entering the hotel through ducting.

The hotel was evacuated and the High Street closed while the crews from Brierley Hill and Stourbridge tackled the fire around the manhole.

National Grid were also called to the scene to assist with digging out, with one fire crew remaining at the scene to monitor the manhole.

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "Shortly after 12.15pm on Tuesday (19 November), we responded to High Street, Stourbridge.

"A fire engine from Brierley Hill and a fire engine from Stourbridge responded, the first arriving within two minutes of being mobilised.

"This is a fire in an underground manhole located outside the Talbot Hotel. Smoke had entered the hotel through ducting.

"The hotel was evacuated as a precaution and the High Street was closed. There have been no injuries. Police colleagues are in attendance to assist with traffic management.

"A National Grid team are due to attend the incident to assist with digging out. 

"At present, we have one fire engine and crew at the scene, who are monitoring the manhole, which is no longer smoking."

National Grid confirmed that the incident had been caused by a fault on the low voltage underground network and sent out an apology to the properties that had been left temporarily without power.

A National Grid Electricity Distribution spokesman said: "We are aware of a fault on our underground network near The Talbot Hotel in Stourbridge. 

"Our engineers are on site and working to fix the fault as quickly as they can. 

"We anticipate that the 11 properties that have lost power in the area will be restored by 8.30pm. 

"We’d like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while we complete the work, as well as West Midlands Fire Service for their swift response to the incident. 

"We're sorry for the inconvenience caused today."