Historic mill destroyed in fire
Up to 150 firefighters were drafted in to tackle the worst fire in Walsall in a quarter of a century that caused part of a former Victorian mill to dramatically collapse.Up to 150 firefighters were drafted in to tackle the worst fire in Walsall in a quarter of a century that caused part of a former Victorian mill to dramatically collapse. Police have today confirmed the massive fire in the Grade II listed building is being treated as suspicious and want to trace a up to four white youths seen in the area. Crews from across the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire were called to Shannons Mill at around 10.40pm yesterday, when the sky was lit by towering flames, and a number have remained at the scene today. Shops and other buildings nearby have been left severely damaged by the fire, in Lower Hall Lane, while staff at Asda, which is closed today, were ordered out of the building. Eyewitness Mike Arnold saw the fire at around 2am when he was called to his town centre workplace because the blaze had set off the alarm. He said: "It was like something out of a film, it lit up the sky." Read the full story in the Express & Star
Up to 150 firefighters were drafted in to tackle the worst fire in Walsall in a quarter of a century that caused part of a former Victorian mill to dramatically collapse.
Police have today confirmed the massive fire in the Grade II listed building is being treated as suspicious and want to trace a up to four white youths seen in the area.
Crews from across the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire were called to Shannons Mill at around 10.40pm yesterday, when the sky was lit by towering flames, and a number have remained at the scene today.
Shops and other buildings nearby have been left severely damaged by the fire, in Lower Hall Lane, while staff at Asda, which is closed today, were ordered out of the building. Eyewitness Mike Arnold saw the fire at around 2am when he was called to his town centre workplace because the blaze had set off the alarm. He said: "It was like something out of a film, it lit up the sky."
West Midlands Divisional Fire Officer Owen Howell said: "This was the largest fire in Walsall in 25 years."
The building started life as a clothing mill that was incorporated as John Shannon & Son Ltd in around 1890 but became a leather goods factory in the 1970s.
It is believed oils used in the leather tanning process could have been within the factory and acted as an accelerant. Police want to trace three to four youths, aged between 13 and 17, who were seen near the mill between 7.45-11pm. Anyone with information can call 0845 113 5000.
By Andy Richardson