West Bromwich fire: Mystery over blaze as restaurant left in tatters
A week on since a huge blaze gutted a restaurant in West Bromwich, fire chiefs are yet to determine the cause.
More than 50 firefighters battled to save the first and second floors of the Royale Garden Caribbean restaurant as the fire tore through the building.
The blaze at the restaurant on High Street, in West Bromwich, was just after 10.30am on January 4.
It come just hours after an arson attack at a nearby pizza shop.
High Street was closed throughout the day, but police are not linking both the fires.
The back of the restaurant was most severely hit but luckily no-one was hurt in the blaze.
Staff at nearby businesses have explained how the owners had returned to the restaurant earlier this week and removed any belongings.
Shutters remained up at the front as charred remains were still on the the pavement.
The upstairs windows remained open with smoke damaged curtains hanging out.
Ann Yates, who has worked at Attewell Opticians directly opposite the restaurant for 36 years, recalled how the fire started.
She said: "It was just billowing out dark smoke and you could see the flames roaring in the sky.
"We were in the front of the shop at the time and it was a quiet day for us.
"There was just lots of smoke coming from the back of the building and dozens of fire fighters arrived.
"It took the roof off around the back and one of the floors.
"It just got thicker and thicker after it started at 10.30am.
"Then we were told to leave just after midday as they closed off the road so we had to shut up."
An employee from a furniture warehouse, who did not wish to be named, said: "You could see there was quite a bit of damage. They took out their things and packed up and left.
"It all happened out the blue but effected business as we had to shut up shop for the day." Owner Mercy Igunbor discovered the fire upon going to open the restaurant. Last week she said: "I have no idea how it would have started, there was nobody in there at the time. I opened up and then I saw the fire.
"I told my husband to put the shutters back down and call the fire bridge for help."
She added: "It is a devastating day for me, we have been here for three years as of last month."
Aftab Ahmed, from Aafee Barbers, two doors down from the restaurant, said: "I was in my shop when it broke out and came out to see all of the police and fire crews.
"The fire service have done really well to keep it under control because there are a lot of shops here if it spread."
