A quiet Saturday night on one of south Birmingham's best-known residential streets turned into a long, anxious vigil as a serious house fire took hold in Kings Heath.

The blaze broke out on Drayton Road at around 9.30pm on Saturday, 26 September, and was still being treated as active well into Sunday morning.

West Midlands Fire Service sent ten fire engines to the scene, along with a hydraulic platform used to attack the flames from above.

Police and ambulance crews also attended as the operation grew.

Witnesses described embers rising from the roof through thick smoke as dozens of firefighters worked to stop the fire spreading.

For families living nearby, the night brought a knock at the door and an instruction to leave.

Some residents in neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution while crews brought the flames under control.

Drayton Road was closed in both directions, and the fire service asked people to stay away from the area wherever possible.

Anyone living or working close by was also urged to keep doors and windows shut to limit exposure to smoke.

What is happening at the scene now?

By Sunday morning the operation had been scaled back, with two fire engines and the hydraulic platform remaining on the street.

Crews were called back into action at around 8.20am to tackle a flare-up, a reminder of how stubborn a fire in an older house can be.

Fire officers say it is too early to establish what caused the blaze.

There has been no official confirmation about whether anyone was hurt, and the fire service has not yet said how badly the property was damaged.

An investigation into the cause is expected once the scene is fully safe.

Why a fire like this spreads concern across Kings Heath

Kings Heath is a tight-knit neighbourhood of Victorian and Edwardian terraces and semi-detached homes, where houses often share walls and roof spaces.

That closeness is part of the area's charm, but it also explains why crews move quickly to evacuate neighbours and protect adjoining properties.

Road closures on residential streets close to the High Street can also ripple out into bus diversions and slower journeys across the area.

What should residents do?

Drivers and pedestrians should avoid Drayton Road until the fire service confirms the scene has been cleared.

People nearby should keep windows closed if they can still smell smoke.

If you see fire or smoke from a property, call 999 straight away and do not go back inside a burning building for belongings.

West Midlands Fire Service offers free Safe and Well visits, which include advice on smoke alarms, escape plans and reducing fire risks at home.

Working smoke alarms on every floor remain the single most effective protection for any household.

What happens next?

Fire investigators will examine the property to establish how the blaze started, and further updates are expected once crews leave the scene.

Brum in Focus will update this story as more information is confirmed.

Image: Photo by Marianna Zuzanna on Pexels (illustrative, not the Kings Heath scene).