Petrol bomb at nightclub

A petrol bomb was thrown at a busy Black Country nightclub today leaving a man with burns to his hands and legs.

Emergency crews were called to Que Pasa, in High Street, Stourbridge, following the attack at 2.15am after a man was refused entry to the two-storey cafe bar.

The reveller was turned away as the club was due to close. But minutes later a plant pot full of petrol was hurled at the side door of the bar in the Ryemarket precinct as people spilled out onto the streets.

It started a blaze which injured a 35-year-old who was standing near to the side fire exit doors and suffered 20 per cent burns to his legs and hands. He was treated by paramedics before being taken to Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley. The attack happened shortly after closing time.

The blaze damaged doors and part of the floor but was extinguished by firefighters.

The cafe's opening time was delayed by an hour until 11am today while staff cleared up. It was due to open as normal tonight until 2am with last entry at 1am.

Police would not confirm today whether an arrest had been made and would only say lines of enquiry were being pursued.

Crew commander Brian Morris, of Stourbridge Fire Station, said: "It seems to have all started with a dispute at the doors.

"Police swarmed around the nightclub right away. The fire itself was not serious, but this was an absolutely terrifying attack."