Arson attack on former hostel

Arsonists set fire to a former hostel in the Black Country today – causing a severe blaze which had to be tackled by more than 25 firefighters.

The now-derelict Happy Times hostel in Walsall was attacked at 5.30am.

Click on the image on the right to see more pictures.

The scene of the fire, Wednesbury Road in Pleck, was sealed off in both directions between Glebe Street and Corporation Street. One lane reopened at 7am and the rest of the road at 8.25am.

The Victorian building was not badly damaged from the outside but its ground floor and first floor interiors were destroyed. Walsall watch commander John Horton said the building had been broken into before.

"This time, they broke in at the rear of the property," he said. "It was arson. The building has been void for some time now. The owners will have to secure it. It's badly damaged inside."

Crews from Walsall, Bloxwich, Willenhall, Wednesbury and Tipton fought the blaze, in which no one was hurt.