Third man arrested after blaze gutted Crooked House
A third man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson following the blaze which gutted the Crooked House pub.
Staffordshire Police said its officers had been trawling through CCTV footage and speaking to those who have come forward with information since the fire at the site in Himley on August 5.
A 51-year-old man, from Buckingham, has now been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent or being reckless as to whether life was endangered.
He has since been released on conditional police bail while investigations continue.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "We would like to thank everyone who has already come forward with important information about this investigation and those who are continuing to engage positively with officers.
"We understand that speculation is still widespread, both locally and online.
"We’d like to reiterate that we are working hard to get through an extensive list of enquiries at this time."
The 66-year-old man and the 33-year-old man, who were previously arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, remain on conditional police bail.
The pub was demolished less than 48 hours after the fire.
It comes after more than 25,000 bricks have been salvaged and cleaned at the site and were locked away in metal storage containers in a special 'padlocking ceremony' on Saturday.
Scores of people attended a 'ceremony of the locks', which saw the contractors and campaigners place a lock on the containers storing the original bricks of the building to secure them from theft.
The pub was sold by owners Marston’s to a private buyer just days before the fire.
Staffordshire Police is continuing its investigations, while South Staffordshire Council is carrying out its own probe.
People who may have information which can help with the investigation are being urged to get in touch with Staffordshire Police if they haven't already.
Call 101, message Staffordshire Police using live chat on its website or report anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.