Suspected arson attack destroys Walsall caravan

The incident happened this morning when firefighters were alerted to the blaze on Goscote Road at around 9am.

Two crews, one from Bloxwich and one from Aldridge, tackled the flames using one hose reel jet.

The fire was put out within 30 minutes but it had ripped through and decimated the caravan by then.

Bloxwich Fire released a photo on their Twitter feed of the destruction which showed that flames had burnt holes through the side of the caravan and destroyed the roof while the remaining panels and beams were completely charred.

Further damage was caused to nearby trees and fence panels and firefighters said it was only their speedy response which prevented flames spreading to a garage at the home where the caravan was located.

West Midlands Fire Service spokesman Matthew Smith said: "We got a 999 call at 9.04am to Goscote Road in Pelsall, Walsall.

"A crew from Bloxwich and Aldridge attended. The stop message came in at 9.39am.

"The caravan was destroyed by fire.

"It was parked on land adjacent to a property on Goscote Road.

"The fire also damaged wooden fencing and a couple of trees nearby.

"We used one hose reel jet on the blaze.

"It is believed to be arson and the police are going to be making further enquiries."

West Midlands Police confirmed they have launched their own investigation into the incident after they were called by the fire brigade.

An appeal has been issued for anyone with information on the fire to contact the force on 101.

The fire is logged as incident 563 of September 17.

Firefighters have had to tackle several caravan fires in the Black Country in recent months.

One was destroyed outside of a home in Stourbridge Road, Brierley Hill in Dudley on July 30 but fire investigators could not identify the causes of the blaze.

While a motorhome at Lickhill Manor Caravan Park in Stourport was left in ruins after an incident on March 28 when it ignited.

The owner had been cooking food at the time but escape unharmed.