Woman injured as suspected arson attack rips through old NHS building

A woman was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation after a suspected arson attack at a former NHS building in Stourbridge.

A total of 30 firefighters tackled the blaze at derelict Shousters House in Ridge Hill, Wordsley, from just after 8pm on Tuesday through to Wednesday morning.

Police and paramedics were also at the scene off Brierley Hill Road, where the roof collapsed and a 24-year-old woman was treated and taken hospital.

West Midlands Police said they are treating the blaze as suspected arson.

WATCH: Video shows fire damage

A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "We got a call at 8.18pm yesterday evening, it was a 999 call.

"At the height of the fire we had six engines at the scene, about 30 firefighters. The stop message came in at 8.17pm.

"The incident involved a severe fire in a single storey brick built building, a derelict building measuring 40 by 25 metres.

Firefighters were still at the scene on Wednesday afternoon

"The building was formerly used by learning and development services.

"About 50 per cent of the building has been destroyed by the fire.

"We used four hose-reel jets and breathing apparatus and brought in the hydraulic platform.

"There was a partial collapse of the roof which would have hampered firefighters.

"A female was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation. All persons were accounted for.

"Police, ambulance, the electricity board were all in attendance as well as a structural engineer, and the site was going to be secured by the local council."

Claire Brown, spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "We were called by the fire service at 8.26pm to reports of a property fire.

"An ambulance and paramedic officer attended and we treated and conveyed one patient to Russells Hall Hospital for further checks.

"The injuries are not believed to be serious."

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police added: "Police are investigating a suspected arson at a building on Brierley Hill Road in the Wordsley area of Stourbridge just before 8.30pm last night .

"A 24-year-old woman was treated for smoke inhalation."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via their website, by calling 101 or by contacted Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting log 2272 of October 29.