Warehouse gutted in arson attack

A warehouse selling gardening goods and fishing tackle was completely gutted today in a suspected arson attack.

This is the scene of devastation at Hydro Blooms in Graiseley, Wolverhampton, where the interior and roof were completely destroyed in the blaze.

Crews were called to the scene at 1.30am and were still there late this morning damping down the warehouse on Church Lane and surrounding buildings on the industrial estate.

Warren Davies, watch commander at Merridale Street fire station, said the blaze was suspicious. 

“It was a severe fire and completely destroyed the inside of the building,” he added. Today, fire investigation officers were searching the site for clues and a structural engineer was called in to assess the extent of the damage.

The inside of the building has been reduced to a blackened shell and littered with debris.

The Hydro Blooms site measures 10m by 50m and sells indoor gardening goods, fishing equipment and horticultural books and DVDs. Nearby factory workers said it had only been open for a few months.

The site was cordoned off today due to fears about the safety of the structure. 

Crews from Merridale Street were first at the scene but called for assistance from Bilston, Fallings Park and Walsall. A relief crew from Oldbury was dampening down the building this morning after taking over at 5am. West Midlands Police spokeswoman Sarah Astbury said investigations were at an early stage. She said the fire was being treated as suspicious or unexplained at the moment.

The factory owner today could not be traced for comment. A passer-by, who did not want to be named, said today: “It is quite a shock – it has only been open for a few months.

“I can’t get down the street because it’s all taped off but you can tell it’s a really bad fire just by looking at the outside of the building. It really smells of smoke too.”

Hydro Blooms aspecialises in hydroponics kits, which is the method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil. It also provides lights, fans, nutrients, filters and videos.