A mother from Birmingham has described the terrifying moment she and her young daughter were forced to flee their home after a fire broke out in their high-rise block.
Early Morning Blaze Triggers Evacuation
Leanne Moore and her seven-year-old daughter were among dozens of residents evacuated from Hamstead House on Coniston Crescent in Hamstead. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, January 12, 2026. Fire crews were called to the 11-storey building shortly before 6:20am after reports of a blaze.
Leanne, who lives on the fifth floor, told reporters she was alerted by the sound of sirens. "All I heard is sirens coming," she said. Upon investigating, she was informed by firefighters that there was a fire on the ninth floor and that residents needed to leave immediately. She reported being able to smell smoke from the floors above.
"They were telling people to be careful and they need to get out," she added. Her daughter was left visibly shaken by the sudden evacuation. Leanne said the young girl was "frightened" by the incident.
Fire Service Response and Police Discovery
West Midlands Fire Service deployed a significant response to the scene. Six fire engines and two 4x4 brigade response vehicles attended, with the first arriving within five minutes of the call. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building and extinguished the flames.
The fire was confined to a single flat on the ninth floor and has been recorded as accidental. Three neighbouring flats were checked for any fire spread but were found to be clear. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties were reported.
While assisting at the scene, West Midlands Police officers made an unexpected discovery in a separate flat adjacent to the fire. They found and subsequently shut down a cannabis farm containing 16 plants. Police remain at the location to investigate the cause of the fire and the unrelated cultivation.
Residents Return Home
By 9:20am on the same morning, evacuated residents were given permission to return to their properties. Leanne Moore confirmed they were allowed back inside, with authorities conducting final checks to ensure everything was safe.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police urged anyone with information about the cannabis farm to come forward. They can call 101 quoting log number 441 of January 12.
