Raiders blamed for fire at kitchen warehouse

A fire that destroyed a kitchen warehouse in Wolverhampton was started by arsonists who smashed their way into the building and raided its safe, it was revealed today.

Police are still hunting the burglars who struck at Magnet Trade in Bushbury, wrecking thousands of pounds worth of stock.

They grabbed a "small quantity" of cash before starting the fire.

A fresh appeal for witnesses today comes as the kitchen supply giant trades from a ramshackle portable office which has been hastily installed at its Shaw Road site.

Deliveries are being channelled through other warehouses in the region based in Cannock, Willenhall, Walsall, Dudley and Lichfield.

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Sarah Astbury said: "The fire is being investigated as arson. They have broken into the premises and a safe. A small quantity of cash was taken.

"They then set fire to the premises. Most of the stock was damaged and the roof was destroyed."

She added that inquiries were ongoing.

Magnet Trade's long-term future at the site remains unclear pending an assessment of the damage the warehouse suffered in the blaze in the early hours of January 28, which was tackled by 55 firefighters and 11 engines at its height.

Crews drafted in to douse the flames said the building would have to be torn down.

Spokesman Jack Rigby confirmed the company will continue to trade from its temporary office at the site for the immediate future.

"The temporary Magnet Trade Wolverhampton site is a fully functional portable office located at the front of the building, which is currently all up and running," he said. "This will continue to serve all account customers as normal.

"The business will continue to operate from the temporary site until we have had a full assessment of the damage of the building, which is currently being undertaken." The warehouse had been refurbished and a new showroom installed shortly before the fire.

Just hours after the blaze another factory in Wolverhampton went up in flames.

Witnesses described hearing an explosion at Imperial Snacks in Heath Town before a blaze broke out, sending flames leaping 6ft into the air.

It was caused by an industrial-sized deep fat fryer.