Europe wildfires: Doorbell camera catches frightening speed of blaze as summer inferno continues

Wild footage has captured the terrifying speed of a grassfire tearing through an English town as Europe battles a catastrophic summer of deadly wildfires.

Doorbell cameras in Stourbridge, in the English Midlands, captured flames rapidly spreading through gardens and towards nearby homes as residents scrambled to escape.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Europe’s catastrophic summer fire crisis

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The fire destroyed or damaged 38 homes, with locals now returning to assess what remains.

Some animals trapped in the path of the blaze were able to be rescued, including horses that were freed and are now sheltering in a neighbouring yards.

Rescuers said the fire engulfed the area within minutes.

“By the time we were out, it was already getting into their field, and maybe 15 minutes later, the whole field was just gone,” one of the rescuers said.

The dramatic scenes are the latest close call during what has become a catastrophic summer across Europe, where firefighters are battling major blazes amid record-breaking heat.

In Croatia, dramatic body camera footage captured volunteer firefighters sprinting into the centre of a firestorm as crews fought to save the popular resort town of Omis.

Strong winds fanned the inferno, which killed one person, injured a further 40 and forced the evacuation of 1200 residents and tourists.

In Spain, firefighters overnight brought an end to a blaze that scorched more than 38,000 hectares in the space of a week.

Australian firefighters have also joined the international effort, with crews now on the ground in France assisting with the emergency.

An Australian Chinook helicopter and 30 Rural Fire Service crew members have travelled to the country to support firefighters battling the blazes.

The escalating fires come as record-breaking heat continues to grip parts of Europe, creating dangerous conditions for crews and communities already facing a devastating wildfire season.