Police launch arson investigation after fire at Dudley restaurant
The fire caused substantial fire and smoke damage throughout the three-storey commercial building
Police have launched an arson investigation after a major fire at a restaurant in Dudley town centre left a building with substantial damage.
Eleven fire engines and a hydraulic aerial platform were sent to tackle the blaze at The Bastian in High Street in the early hours of Friday (November 13).
West Midlands Fire Service was called shortly before 2.45am, with firefighters wearing breathing apparatus using multiple jets to extinguish the flames.
The fire caused substantial fire and smoke damage throughout the three-storey commercial building.
Gas and electricity supplies were isolated by Cadent and National Grid respectively, while part of High Street was cordoned off and several bus services were diverted.
West Midlands Police has now confirmed the blaze is being treated as arson, with no injuries reported.
A force spokesperson said: "We were called to a premises on High Street, Dudley, shortly after 3.25am this morning (13 Nov) by our colleagues at the fire service.
"Officers attended and assisted with road closures.
"No one was reportedly injured and the blaze is being treated as arson."
West Midlands Fire Service said crews would continue to revisit the site to ensure no hotspots remained.
Anyone with information is asked to contact West Midlands Police on 101, quoting incident number 313 of November 13.