Raiders in arson attack on office

Burglars stole a safe before setting fire to a Bilston office today after breaking in through a back door.

The severe blaze at RP Hardware Ltd in Hickman Avenue sent flames leaping into the air through the single-storey building roof.

A safe taken from the building was found abandoned nearby. It was empty but is understood to have only held documents. No money was reported as being stolen.

Up to 20 firemen, some wearing breathing apparatus, fought the blaze for an hour to stop it spreading to the main factory. The drama started at 2.05am when a security guard alerted the fire service.