Smethwick pub hit in arson attack
Part of a Smethwick pub was destroyed in a suspected arson attack which saw more than 50 firefighters battling the blaze in the early hours of today.
At its peak, eight crews were fighting the flames at the Queen's Head, in Londonderry Lane, .
Neighbours raised the alarm at about 2.25am when smoke was seen pouring from the building.
The blaze has gutted a function room at the back of the pub but was stopped from spreading to the main bar area, which still suffered smoke damage.
The pub was closed when firefighters arrived and no-one was there.
Smethwick station watch commander Jason Jew said: "It was a severe blaze and there was no chance of saving the function room.
"There are some homes nearby but we stopped the fire from spreading and we managed to save the rest of the pub."
Crews were still damping down this morning.
