Arson suspected over pub blaze

A former Black Country pub has become the latest derelict building to be targeted by arsonists. Residents say it was only a matter of time before The Lagoon in Tipton was hit.

The pub located in High Street, Princes End has been empty since last year and went up in flames yesterday afternoon. Princes End councillor Beatrice Owen said the area was a hotspot for derelict buildings."What do they think Princes End is, a dumping ground for derelict buildings? This was just waiting to happen," she said.

Station commander Nigel Sowden from Oldbury Fire Station said crews were called at 1.55pm.

Seven engines attended and 10 officers went into the property, but no-one was found inside.

Mr Sowden, said: "We believe it is arson but there is no evidence yet as to how it started."

He added: "Arson is a big thing. Void and derelict properties are a place where there is anti-social behaviour which can can lead to arson and we don't want to send our engines to incidents like this when they can be better used in the community or in genuine emergencies.

"We have a void and derelict buildings scheme to make the area safer. If there are buildings of concern, if they are reported to the fire service we have a process in place to try and resolve the problem to prevent arson occurring in the community."

Homeless Donny Swinn said he had been sleeping rough in the pub along with two other people since Sunday. He said he was not in the building at the time because he was signing on at Dudley Jobcentre.

The 52-year-old, said: "There could have been three dead bodies coming out of here, they've just burned my house down."

Anita Blagun of Gills Premier Stores, opposite the pub, said her customers had alerted her to the fire.

The Lagoon used to be run by James Lloyd, who was kicked off Sandwell Council last October for failing to attend a single meeting in six months.

He was asked to quit as licensee last January following a machete attack there.