Time for action over arsonists, says Walsall Council leader

"It is definitely a problem for us, any derelict building is always a target," said Councillor Sean Coughlan.

His comments came as arsonists set fire to a second derelict pub in a matter of weeks.

The former Boat Pub in Darlaston and Old Bush Inn in Pelsall have both been targeted several times this month.

Council bosses met yesterday to determine if the two sites are safe after the fires.

Councillor Coughlan said it was time to deal with the issue.

"It is a problem. We have experienced this ourselves in Willenhall with factories and when we closed those three schools two of them were targeted not long after," he said.

"It does not surprise me. Both the police and the fire service are aware of the problem of arsonists.

"As a partnership we are going to have to get together with the owners of the site and try and sort it out. It is definitely a problem for us, any derelict building is always a target."

The most recent attack at the Old Bush Inn happened on Saturday night. Firefighters condemned the 'senseless' arsonists for 'diverting emergency resources from real emergencies'.

There was another fire at the site a day before, which caused smoke damage.

Speaking on the two attacks, Pelsall Councillor Marco Longhi said: "It is very distressing, not just for me but distressing for Pelsall people – especially those who live immediately in the vicinity.

"This is in the hand of the owner – the council, the fire service, the police can't just wave their wand, it really is up to the land owner to do something about it.

"My thoughts are either return it to a pub or put in a planning application, don't just leave it derelict."

He added: "It would be a shame to demolish it. There is an unfortunate trend that a number of buildings that have shut down for a couple of years are being targeted. I wouldn't like to question what those motives are. I do have to stress this point, it is up to the landowner and not down to the council."

The two attacks on the Old Bush Inn come after the former Boat Pub in Darlaston was recently targeted four times in a fortnight. It led to calls for the pub to be flattened by Councillor Angela Underhill.

Andy Minor, watch commander at Willenhall fire station, said the arsonists were 'putting lives in danger' with firefighters' time being taken up with the derelict site and not with other potentially fatal emergencies.

Councillor Mike Bird, the former leader of Walsall Council, described the attacks on the pubs as 'very sad'.