08 August 2023 , 07:16
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Mystery surrounds the demolition of a historic pub just 48 hours after it was gutted in a house fire.
Staffordshire Police have said they are "reviewing all of the available evidence" on the cause of the fire at the Crooked House in Himley, near Dudley, West Midlands, on Saturday night.
The blaze, which required 30 firefighters to extinguish, came just two weeks after the building was sold by pub company Marston's to a private buyer. On Monday, Staffordshire Police said that investigations into the cause of the fire at the 18th-century pub were ongoing, with a cordon still in place around the site.
Social media footage posted on Monday evening showed a mechanical digger being used to reduce the remaining structure of the pub to rubble, but it's unclear who was responsible for clearing the site. The former Dudley North MP, Lord Ian Austin, tweeted a picture of the destruction alongside a tweet reading: "The Crooked House, a 200 year-old Black Country landmark.
The Crooked House pub was left gutted after a fire tore through the 200-year-old building on Saturday (Anita Maric / SWNS)"Sold by @MarstonsPLC as a 'going concern'. Set on fire and now demolished. Tragedy. Very interested to see what happens to the site now."
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In a statement issued on Monday, Detective Inspector Richard Dancey, from CID, said: "This incident has caused a great deal of speculation locally and we understand the significance of the building within the local community.
"We would like to remind the public that our investigation is ongoing and we are reviewing all of the available evidence alongside fire investigators to determine the cause of the incident. Those who may have any useful information are urged to get in touch with us whilst we continue to complete our lines of enquiry alongside the fire service."
The pub became a popular local landmark due to one side being significantly lower than the other, caused by the effects of nearby mining. It was put on the market by Marston's in January this year and a sale was completed two weeks ago, a company spokesperson said.
A Facebook group campaigning to have the pub protected and rebuilt has attracted almost 5,000 members. One member of the group wrote on Tuesday: "I really think with so many that cared and loved this pub we need to make sure that our voices are heard.
"When will the Government stop allowing all our history be taken away from us? This pub was known by people around the world because it was so unique."
Anyone with information that may help the investigation is urged to contact Staffordshire Police quoting incident 761 of August 5.