Suspected arson attack destroys Bloxwich pub

A landmark Black Country pub was in a dangerous state today after the roof was destroyed in a suspected arson attack which caused part of the first floor and interior walls to collapse.

Thirty firefighters fought the blaze at The Bulls Head.

The pub has stood in Park Road, Bloxwich, since the 1920s.

A resident spotted flames and smoke spewing from the building at about 4.30am yesterday.

Watch Commander Peter Medford, of Willenhall fire, said an investigation was under way to find the cause of the blaze after a door had been forced open by an intruder.

The public house, off High Street, closed down in 2007 and owner Aldridge based Dorchester Land Ltd plans to convert it into shops.

Mr Medford said: The building is in a dangerous condition.

"The roof has completely gone and the building is unsafe. Part of the first floor has collapsed and fallen to the ground floor.

"Tiles were still falling off the top when we arrived and we are concerned about the state of the walls. There was heavy smoke blowing across the town centre when we first arrived.

"At first we had two trucks, but immediately recognised the severity of the blaze and requested more."

Park Road resident Bill Smith, 70, said people in the area had raised concerns about the future of the public house due to the length of it has remained unoccupied.

"There had been a metal fence around it until two weeks ago when it disappeared. The residents are not surprised this has happened."