Arsonists destroy industrial unit in Cradley Heath

A former car valet unit in Cradley Heath was gutted in an arson attack as 25 firefighters battled to stop the flames spreading to a neighbouring business.

The fire tore through the site in Chester Road leaving just a burned-out shell today.

The roof collapsed and the blaze burned away the floor of the empty industrial unit.

When fire crews arrived at about 4.40pm yesterday they found a door had been forced.

It is believed the blaze was started in the centre of the building using petrol after an empty can was discovered nearby.

There were gangs of youngsters on the car park who at first refused to leave, said watch commander Rudy Parkes, of Cradley Heath fire station.

A door at another unit on the site was also open and there was evidence that some small fires had been started in there in recent weeks, Mr Parkes said.

Four fire crews were called to the scene and used three water jets to protect the neighbouring Dunn's Photographic Laboratory. The fire was out by about 6pm.

Mr Parkes said: "Once it started, the fire spread really quickly and the bitumen roof came down in no time.

"At the fire's peak the flames had gone through the roof and they were blowing really close to the roof of the business next door.

"We had to work hard to stop it spreading further as it could have done a lot of damage.

"The building hasn't been used for 18 months – we've contacted the owners.

"I imagine it will have to be knocked down now."

The road was shut by police for about three hours and an investigation is now being made into the incident.

Firefighters accessed the back of the building by removing a steel fence and Mr Parkes said it was a "tricky job".

Crews were at the scene until about 9pm damping down and making sure that the fire did not flare up again.

A CCTV camera overlooking the building had been turned away so none of the attack would have been captured, Mr Parkes added.

"It seems like someone had just come along to cause damage, which causes a lot of problems when we have to deal with it," he said.