Wolverhampton warehouse inferno was arson, investigators reveal

Flames more than 20ft high ripped through the unused Alliance Paper and Tissue building and lit up the night sky after the arson attack last Wednesday.

At its height more than 100 firefighters tackled the inferno, while small pockets of fire continued to burn at the site off Wobaston Road, Fordhouses, until Sunday.

The blaze was fuelled by thousands of rolls of paper stored in the building - which changed hands more than 18 months ago but had not been cleared, meaning toilet, tissue and wall paper were still on site as well as unidentified chemicals.

These materials slowed firefighting efforts down, with crews opting to allow the fire to continue to burn under their control instead of pouring water on unknown chemicals.

Two hydraulic platforms were brought in to help the 20 fire crews douse the flames from above with water pumped from the nearby Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, before firefighters were joined by utility companies, an asbestos adviser, demolition experts, Manchester-based site owners Hollytame and fire investigators, who more than a week since the blaze began have now confirmed it was started deliberately.

West Midlands Fire Service Area Commander Steve Taylor last week described the fire as 'intense' and said his team faced several challenges, including a damaged gas main which was burning in two places.

"The sheer size of the site was also a key consideration in our operations, as well as the need to protect a neighbouring aerospace company which was just 10 metres away," he added.

"We worked very closely throughout the night with representatives of the neighbouring firm and our partner agencies including the gas and electricity companies."

Concerned residents had kept watch at the height of the blaze as thick, black smoke was blown towards UTC Aerospace Systems next door, properties in Fordhouses and the nearby M54 motorway. They were told to keep doors and windows closed while firefighters tackled the blaze.

The damage is believed to be so extensive the premises may have to be razed to the ground.