Band with unfortunate name breaks silence on 'coincidence' after pub burns down

07 August 2023 , 13:00

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Band with unfortunate name breaks silence on 'coincidence' after pub burns down

A folk band - unfortunately named "Gasoline & Matches" - were supposed to play at an iconic pub on the night a massive fire destroyed the building.

The band was advertised by The Crooked House, dubbed "Britain's wonkiest pub" due to an optical illusion having been built on old mining terrain, weeks before it closed forever and was sold for alternative use. The social media posts, including on Facebook, weren't deleted and remain online today.

The posts and leaflets promoted the band's "live acoustic set", which was due to start at 8.30pm on Saturday, less than two hours before the fire was reported to West Midlands Fire Service and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Internet users have since spotted the spooky irony and reacted to the haunting coincidence.

The historic pub permanently closed after 192 years of trading last month (Anita Maric / SWNS)

The band itself, based in Birmingham, called the inferno "a crazy coincidence". A Facebook post on the band's official account reads: "We were contacted by concerned friends, followers & even national news over the weekend regarding this! We were due to perform at #thecrookedhouse on Saturday when it went up in flames! The gig had actually been cancelled a month ago, but the pub hadn’t taken the flyer down so the story has now gone viral!

It also told the Mirror: "Nothing else to say other than our thoughts are with everyone this has affected. We know the pub held a lot of memories for a lot of people, such a shame."

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Fire crews were alerted to the famous leaning pub near Dudley on Saturday night (BPM Media)

Pictures show the Grade II listed building, constructed in 1765, engulfed in a towering inferno (BPM Media)

Authorities are investigating the fire at the Crooked House, near Dudley, West Midlands. One of the first firefighters at the scene revealed his crew's access to the building was restricted due to a mound of dirt "blocking" the rural road. A local has also reported seeing intruders inside the historic building moments before it erupted in flames.

Chris Green, who has served in the fire service for 16 years and has been watch commander at Tipton Fire Station since 2021, said: "When we got there, the lads had to work so hard because there were mounds of dirt that had been put in the road blocking the lane. They could have been put there as a security measure."

According to The Telegraph, one local said that intruders had been seen inside the closed pub and seemed to be partying and playing music. Cops said no one was inside the building when it went up in flames.

Witnesses reported seeing 'a massive glow' after the building caught fire (BPM Media)

Chris Hill, 60, of music events company Chris Hill Aces Promotion, told the Mirror: "Honestly, you couldn't make it up, could you? You can see someone has put it on Instagram for Crooked House because it is dated weeks ago, when the pub was still open. It burned down the same day they were meant to play."

The grandfather of three, who is from nearby Wednesbury, added: "We used to go there as a family loads of times as we are local... It was just a magical thing, with the ball bearings appearing to go uphill, it was just weird. It's like a national institution because it is really, really popular place and, judging from the amount of things I've seen on Facebook, there are a lot of upset people.

"People used to have weddings there and all sorts of stuff. People came from miles and miles around, and from other countries too as they'd heard or read about it."

The burnt-out remains of the establishment are pictured today (PA)

There is no connection between Gasoline & Matches and the fire, which Staffordshire Police is investigating. The force is appealing for information.

The force said in a statement: "We are appealing for information after a fire at a derelict building in Himley late Saturday evening. Officers were called to a report of a fire at what used to be the Crooked House pub on Himley Road at 10:45pm last night (5 August). Crews from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were already in attendance and had extinguished the blaze. No one was believed to be inside the building and no one has been reported injured.

"We are now working with fire investigators to establish the cause of the fire. Fire investigators are inspecting the scene this morning and officers are making local enquiries to secure any information that might help the investigation. Anyone who may have any information that could help with the investigation are asked to get in touch."

Bradley Jolly