Two in hospital after fire which devastated a house in Bloxwich as neighbours speak of their shock

Residents spoke of their shock today after the fire, at a property in Shrewsbury Close on the Mossley Estate in Bloxwich which happened around 9.15pm on Monday night.

A number were evacuated after the blaze, which spread to neighbouring properties - Walsall Council housed some overnight and others took shelter in nearby St Thomas' Church.

Ten crews comprising over 60 firefighters fought the blaze last night - one remained on scene this morning (Tuesday) along with investigators.

The neighbour living next door to the house which caught fire, who didn't want to be named, said he was walking back to the property after taking his wife to work when the house 'exploded,' sending debris towards him.

He said: "It was very dramatic I saw two people running from the property but it has caused extensive damage to our property as well and Walsall Council were really good in arranging overnight accommodation. I'm not sure what is going to happen now."

Donna Titley, the church warden at St Thomas' on the adjacent Cresswell Crescent said her and the team were cleaning on Monday night when they heard a 'massive bang' and came out to see a 'scene of devastation,'

She said: "There was obviously a lot of people had come out of their homes and they were in shock. Not to mention the people on the row of houses which were damaged,

"We kept the church door open for them and anyone who wanted to get a break or a cup of tea and didn't leave there until 2am. I just hope everyone is safe and well and my heart goes out to all those affected."

This morning, a fire crew remained on site with an investigation continuing, along with police officers and staff from Walsall Council who are continuing to support residents.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "We were called following a fire at an address in Shrewsbury Close, Bloxwich, at around 9.30pm yesterday (Monday).

"Two men were later found in Willenhall with burn injuries. They were taken to hospital where they remain.

"We are working alongside fire service investigators to establish the cause of the blaze."

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 9.28pm to Shrewsbury Close following reports of an explosion and sent an ambulance, two paramedic officers, a MERIT trauma doctor with a critical care paramedic and the Trust’s Hazardous Area Response Team to the scene.

 “On arrival, crews found one man who did not wish to be assessed and was discharged at the scene.

“We received a second call at 11.31pm to Lower Lichfield Street in Willenhall.

“Two ambulances, a paramedic officer, a MERIT trauma doctor with a critical care paramedic were sent to the scene.

“On arrival, crews found two men who had suffered burn injuries.

“The first had suffered critical injuries and, following advanced trauma care from medics, was conveyed under emergency conditions to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham with MERIT travelling on board to continue treatment en route.

“Ambulance staff treated the second man for serious injuries before conveying him to the same hospital.”