Firefighters tackle blaze at derelict Tipton pub
A fire ripped through an empty house next to a derelict pub - forcing the closure of a busy road for more than three hours.
Smoke was seen coming from the property next to the former Royal Oak pub in Whitehall Road between Great Bridge and West Bromwich.
Twenty firefighters were called to dealt with the blaze which caused damage to the two-storey empty home. Flames did not spread to the former Royal Oak pub which has been boarded up for a number of months and partially demolished. It was initially thought the fire came from the pub but on further investigations it was found to have started in the adjacent empty home.
Firefighters from Smethwick, Tipton and West Bromwich tackled the blaze at around 6.40am yesterday.
Police partially blocked off Whitehall Road as fire engines moved closer to allow them access to fight the fire.
Buses from operator National Express West Midlands using the road were diverted away from the area.
Damage was caused to the roof of the home as charred beams were exposed by the force of the flames.
Blackened windows and smoke damage was visible from the outside of the building as firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control.
Crews then worked to dampen down the inside of the building to stop the flames re-igniting.
The blaze affected the entire building with the cellar and both floors suffering severe damage. There was some smoke damage to the former pub.
A worker from a nearby business, who did not want to be named, said: "It was a surprise when we arrived to see all the fire engines and police outside. It was quiet in the morning with the road being closed."
Emergency services left the scene shortly after 10am.
West Midlands Police is investigating the blaze and a cause is not yet known.
