Woman dies in ‘severe’ house fire in Smethwick

A woman has died after a severe house fire in the West Midlands in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Four fire engines and 19 firefighters responded to reports of a fire at a two-storey house in Harvest Road, Smethwick, at 4.35am on Saturday.

Crews from Oldbury, West Bromwich, Woodgate Valley and Smethwick fought the blaze. West Midlands fire service described it as a “severe fire which affected all of the semi-detached house”.

A woman, believed to be in her 30s, was found unconscious in a bedroom and was rescued by firefighters. However, she was confirmed dead shortly afterwards, according to PA Media.

A man and a woman, believed to be in their 50s, were led to safety and given first aid. They were later taken to hospital by paramedics.

A taxi driver, Ashmetullah Faizy, told the Express and Star newspaper that he had rung 999 and helped the couple escape. They are believed to be the victim’s mother and father.

The scene was cordoned off on Saturday as investigations took place into what had caused the blaze. Burnt items of furniture from the house could be seen on the front garden.

The fire service added: “Our thoughts are with them and everyone affected by this incident. The fire was confirmed to be out by 6.20am and, an hour later, our resources at the scene were scaled down to one fire engine. Investigators from West Midlands fire service will be working with police colleagues to establish how the fire started.”