UK's wonkiest pub must be 'rebuilt brick by brick' after mystery fire says mayor
An 18th century pub destroyed in a fire over the weekend should be rebuilt “brick by brick”, according to the furious local mayor.
Emergency crews rushed to The Crooked House, known as Britain's wonkiest pub, in Dudley on Saturday night. At the height of the blaze more than 30 firefighters worked at the scene to bring the flames under control.
The fire came just two weeks after the pub was sold to a private buyer for “alternative use”. But in a letter from West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, which was signed by council leader Roger Lees and West Midlands night-time economy adviser Alex Claridge, he said it should be rebuilt - and remain as a pub.
The letter reads: “Whilst we do not yet know the cause of the fire or the outcome of any investigation being conducted by Staffordshire Police or Staffordshire Fire and Rescue, it is clear we should not allow such a tragic act to be the end of The Crooked House.
The wonky pub before the flames destroyed it (PA)“We therefore ask you consider ensuring the property is rebuilt brick by brick (using as much original material as possible) before any further discussions about the future of the site take place. We are aware the Crooked House has only very recently been sold by Marston’s to a private developer with the intention of the site being used for ‘alternative use’.
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“However, our understanding is any alternative use would have to be approved by your council’s planning department or committee, and so we would therefore ask you to strongly consider not allowing any alternative use and instead keeping this iconic location as a pub.”
Staffordshire Police said on Monday they are reviewing “all of the available evidence” into the cause of the blaze, which was extinguished by Sunday morning. There have been multiple reports suggesting mounds of dirt were blocking access roads to the pub after the fire started, something Mr Street and Mr Claridge confirmed in a separate letter to the police and fire services.
The gutted remains of the Crooked House pub (PA)The pair said they “make it clear we are not inferring” The Crooked House was deliberately set alight, but there are “major questions” over the timing of the blaze. Their second letter was addressed to Staffordshire Police chief constable Chris Noble and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue chief fire officer Rob Barber.
It said: “Whilst we will avoid any speculation as to what has occurred, clearly there are major questions to be answered given how swiftly this fire happened following the sale of the pub to an unknown private developer. We are also intrigued by the fact your officers faced blocked access when trying to get to the scene.”
In a tweet on Tuesday morning, Mr Street added: “We believe great pubs have immense cultural and historical value here in the West Midlands – and we should be taking steps to protect and preserve their heritage. The reaction of so many of you to the tragic fire at The Crooked House tells us we’re not alone. We’re on it.”
Anyone with information which may help the investigation is urged to contact Staffordshire Police quoting incident 761 of August 5. South Staffordshire Council has been approached for comment.
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