Stourbridge stables destroyed in suspected arson

Fire crews were called to the blaze in Hayes Lane, Lye, on Sunday night.

The stable, measuring around eight by five metres with a corrugated roof, was left completely destroyed.

Pictures taken from the scene shows firefighters battling the blaze, which had engulfed the entire wooden structure.

Plumes of thick smoke could be seen rising from the burning wood situated in the middle of a field.

The inside of the stable had contained hay and straw.

One fire crew from Stourbridge and one from Brierley Hill attended the scene.

West Midlands Fire Service spokesman Matthew Smith said: "Fire crews arrived at the scene at 9.07pm before the stock message came through at 9.43pm. We believe the fire was started deliberately."

West Midlands Police were called to the scene around 9.50pm by the fire service, but could not say if the fire was deliberate as they have not been able to reach the stable owners.

Spokesman Hannah Fitzgerald said: "We cannot establish yet if the fire was deliberate as we have not been able to contact the owners and open an investigation. Officers are still trying to contact them. "

Another suspected arson attack took place just under half a mile away several hours earlier when a skip caught fire at a derelict warehouse.

Fire crews attended the blaze around 7.57pm at the site along Bromley Street in Lye following a 999 call.

Pictures posted on line show smoke bellowing from the site. Eyewitness Nile Rickard had reported that a car was on fire.

West Midlands Fire Service spokesman Matthew Smith said: "Again we are looking at the motive that the fire was believed to have started deliberately.

"Fire crews received a stock message to leave the scene around 8.45pm."

One fire crew from Brierley Hill and one from Stourbridge attended.

West Midlands Police also attended the scene, but again could not say the cause of the fire as they have yet to reach the site owners and open an investigation.