Arson-stricken Smethwick pub finally demolished

Sandwell Council launched legal action against the pub’s owners last week after it had stood in a state disrepair and been targeted by vandals and arsonists in recent months.

Demolition work got underway last Thursday after the council’s highways department said that the junction at Bridge Street North with Lewisham Road and Downing Street would be closed until Sunday.

By Saturday only rubble was left on the site, with fencing in place around the outside.

The pub had been sealed off since January due to safety concerns and temporary traffic lights were put in place to stop vehicles passing too close to the building.

Sandwell Council, which has had to spend £2,000 on the traffic measures, tried to force the owner to take action over the state of the pub, which has also been hit by fire.

Ward councillor Preet Gill, cabinet member for public health and protection, said: “We’ve been working with the landlord of the pub for some time to get something done because we were concerned about safety.

“The whole condition of the pub is a concern and we’ve been pro-active with sorting the issue.

“Our priority is the safety of residents.

“If we see a building where work needs to be done we take further action.”

Before the demolition, the eyesore building, which had dozens of cracks running through it, was engulfed in flames earlier this year.

A total of 23 firefighters battled a blaze at the pub, which spread throughout the first floor on January 2.

Lewisham Road had to be closed off by emergency services while firefighters worked to extinguish the fire.

It spread throughout the first and second floors, and the roof area of the building, near the junction with Bridge Street North.

Charred remains saw the building left stood in a worse state than ever, with a half crumbling frontage and no roof.

Speaking at the time of the incident, West Midlands Fire Service spokesman said the fire is believed to have been started deliberately and was treated as suspicious.

They said: “The fire was on the first and second floor, and the roof space. We had to use some water from the local canal.

“Police were in attendance and remaining throughout the night due to the dangerous state of the building.”