Neighbours flee houses after Quarry Bank flat fire
Neighbours told today how they fled their smoke-filled homes after a fire broke out in an adjoining flat in Quarry Bank.
Firefighters found a pile of smouldering clothing in the kitchen of a man in his 40s in Wavell Road at about 3.30am today. The occupant, believed to be aged 43, escaped unhurt.
Nathan Ray, aged 24, who lives in flat above, said: "I woke up at 3.30am and my flat was full of smoke and I couldn't breathe. I saw the man who lives at the flat outside and called 999. If I hadn't woken up I could have been burned alive."
Firefighters from Brierley Hill and Cradley Heath were called to the scene.
Brierley Hill fire station watch commander, Andrew Papworth, said: "The fire was in clothing in the kitchen and it was pretty well out when we arrived."
