Arson attack wrecks pub

Around 20 firefighters tackled a blaze which tore through a Dudley pub after an arson attack.

Flames engulfed the roof, damaged a bar and wrecked a smoking area at the Hill Tavern pub, in Kates Hill.

The pub in Watsons Green Road is undergoing renovations and was not open when the fire started at 9.20pm last night.

A hydraulic platform was brought in to help fire crews tackle the flames from the air. Smoke could be seen from the Burnt Tree Island.

The building was still taped off today, with community police standing guard outside the property.

Crew Commander Keith Hampton, of Tipton fire station, said that the blaze was being treated as a "deliberate act" and crews had visited throughout the night to make sure it did not flare up again.

"It was fierce when we got here and spreading," he said.

The blaze started in a smoking shelter at the rear of the property, but had quickly got into the ground floor bar, then to the first floor and the roof space, he added.

"Luckily we were able to stop the spread and bring it under control within 20 minutes."

Four crew members wearing breathing apparatus were sent inside the burning building to try and control the blaze.

Around 20 per cent of the pub's roof was damaged by the blaze and the entire building suffered smoke damage.

Planning permission was recently granted to developer REI plc to demolish the pub to make way for an eight-house development.

But its tenants were in the process of redecorating the pub ready to reopen it in the next few weeks.

Last night's blaze is the latest huge fire to hit the region.

On Monday morning fire wrecked Funtasia Football Academy and Family Centre, in Dudley.

The suspected arson attack destroyed a ball pit, cafe and also play equipment.

Investigations are still ongoing at the Bath Street site today by police and fire officers.

On Thursday last week Magnet Trade in Wolverhampton was gutted, wrecking thousands of pounds of stock.