A MIDLAND man has told of his horror as a bonfire in his back garden spread to cause extensive damage to an entire block of houses, including one belonging to his grandmother.

Up to 30 firefighters were called out to tackle the blaze in Barnett Road, Willenhall, at 9.40pm on Tuesday, which tore through roof voids in the block of four homes.

No injuries were reported, but firefighters had to enter one of the properties to rescue a dog.

The bonfire was started in the garden of 24-year-old Jamie Smith, who said he had only moved in three weeks ago.

He said his bonfire spread to next door’s verandah at the home of his 69-year-old grandmother, Sylvia Clarke. It was her terrier, Sadie, that was saved.

“I’d been out cutting down the hedges earlier in the day and took the cuttings out to burn,” said Mr Smith, who lived at the property with 22-year-old partner Sarah Hicklin and his three children – aged four, three and six months.