Arsonists set fire to an historic listed Walsall church building which has been left vacant for more than a decade. The blaze leaves the site’s possible restoration in jeopardy.

Twenty-five firefighters were called to a blaze at Mellish Road Methodist Church in the early hours today following reports of an arson attack. The church, at the corner of Butts Road and Mellish Road traffic island, has been a constant target for vandals. But firefighters say the church, which was already unsafe, is now in a “dangerous” state.

Much of the roof has been burned off and the inside has suffered extensive fire damage. Structural engineers from Walsall Council were today on-site to establish the building’s safety.

Four pumps from Walsall, Aldridge and Bloxwich attended the scene using breathing apparatus and one hydraulic platform.

It took at least an hour to get the blaze under control but firefighters were still on the scene later this morning.

Walsall acting watch commander Paul Jones said they were treating it as suspected arson. “The church was broken into and they have set fire to something inside,” he said.

“The church was already in a dangerous condition and is even worse now.”

The church is owned by a private firm which Walsall Council has been working with in a bid to get it restored or partly saved in any future development.

The council’s cabinet has also given delegated powers to its own officers to use a compulsory purchase order to get the church back into use. The church has been unused since problems with subsidence led to it being sold off. Since then, residents have been campaigning for action to revive it.