WATCH: Discarded cigarette butt sparks blaze in Cradley Heath pub
A pub is closed after a fire broke out from a discarded cigarette butt in the early hours.
The Moon Under Water pub, in Cradley Heath, suffered damage following the blaze today.
Scorch marks and blackened walls show the ferocity of the fire outside the Wetherspoons pub.
Around 15 firefighters tackled the blaze after they were called to the High Street pub at around 4am.
The blaze was contained to the entrance of the pub but fire damaged debris had been piled outside this morning.
The pub, which neighbours shops, remained cordoned off today as a precaution following the blaze.
Firefighters from Haden Cross station tweeted to say it is believed the incident was caused by a discarded cigarette butt.
Crews from Haden Cross and Brierley Hill stations were able to leave the scene shortly after 5.30am but did carry out checks on the building throughout the morning.
It is unclear when the pub will open at this stage.
Wetherspoons spokesman Eddie Gershon said: "We can confirm that there was a fire at the Wetherspoons pub in Cradley Heath today.
"At the moment the pub is closed but we hope to reopen as soon as a possible.
"Obviously this will be after the investigations by the fire service and Wetherspoons itself.
"Our main thoughts are that no-one was injured or caught up in the fire which is a relief.
"Existing staff will be relocated to other Wetherspoons pubs in the area in the meantime and none will lose any wages as a result.
"The pub in Cradley Heath is very, very well established with a lot of loyal customers.
"We hope people will appreciate the situation and nothing will be done to rush to have to reopen the pub before everything is 100 per cent safe."
