Fire crews tackle major blaze at Stourbridge nightclub after arson attack
Dozens of firefighters tackled a blaze which was started deliberately at a former nightclub in Stourbridge.
The arson attack happened at the former Arena nightclub in Hagley Road overnight.
Fourteen firefighters wore breathing apparatus to extinguish the fire and paramedics were also called but no one was injured, the fire service said.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "We got a call at 9.27pm yesterday, it was a 999 call.
"We sent six fire engines to the scene, approximately 30 firefighters. The first engine got to the scene in four minutes.
"The stop message came in at 11.55pm, it was a fire in a disused nightclub, we had two hose reel jets and one main water jet on the blaze.
"Fourteen firefighters were wearing breathing apparatus. A thermal imaging camera was also used to make sure there were no hot spots.
"The fire is believed to have started deliberately."
Haden Cross Fire Station tweeted: "Stourbridge, Oldbury, Brierley Hill, Tipton and Dudley are at a fire at a former nightclub in Stourbridge. Fire now out and no persons injured."
The plan is for the old nightclub – also once known as The Picture House – to be demolished for the construction of luxury apartments which will be linked to Parkfield Grange and share facilities such as a cinema, activities studio, hair and beauty salon, restaurant and cafe bar along with landscaped gardens.
A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: "We are investigating a fire at The Arena in Hagley Road, Stourbridge at around 10pm yesterday .
"No one was injured in the fire, which is being treated as arson.
"Enquiries are on-going and anyone with information can contact us via live chat at west-midlands.police.uk, call 101, or talk to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting crime reference number 20/493093/21."
Jamie Arrowsmith, spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "We were called to reports of a fire at Arena Nightclub on Hagley Road at 10.06pm last night, one ambulance and a paramedic officer attended the scene. However, there were no patients at the scene and we were stood down."
Meanwhile yesterday evening firefighters also tackled a blaze at former pub The Happy Wanderer in Bilston.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said this blaze was also started deliberately.
He said: "We got a call at 7.09pm yesterday, it was a 999 call.
"We sent two crews to the scene, the first engine got there in just under four minutes.
"The stop message came in at 8.13pm, it was a fire in a detached derelict former pub.
"The fire was located in the ground floor and confined to the room of origin.
"Two firefighters worse breathing apparatus, they used a hose reel jet.
"The fire is believed to have started deliberately."
