Eerie 'fire' post on The Crooked House's website foreshadowed wonky pub's demise

10 August 2023 , 10:36

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A blaze gutted the iconic Black Country pub (Image: BPM Media)

The Crooked House pub shared an eerie post that foreshadowed the wonky watering hole’s untimely firey demise.

The pub in Himley, West Midlands, attracted visitors from around the globe thanks to its unique leaning structure, with one end four feet lower than the other. This causes it to have unique illusions like making coins or marbles seemingly roll uphill along the bar.

Whilst this makes it difficult if you’ve had a few too many, it was beloved by its regulars who were left shocked by the sudden fire which consumed it. But shortly before this, they shared an ominous post.

When the pub was still open and running, they advertised their Bonfire Night celebrations, not knowing that soon, the pub itself would be going up in flames. The eerie post reads: “Bonfire night, Day of the Dead Fiesta, Monday 8 November” and it goes on to advertise fireworks, food, face painting and music.

The eerie post calling for celebrations for Bonfire Night at the pub, not knowing the pub itself would soon go up in flames

What should’ve been a celebration in the 18th century pub never came to be after it suddenly burned down on August 5. Firefighters were called out around 10pm but found the road blocked.

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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."

The gutted pub after the fire (PA)

The Telegraph reported that one local said intruders had been seen inside the closed pub, and were seemingly partying and listening to music. But police said no one had been inside when it went up in flames.

In the aftermath of the blaze, bulldozers were sent in and reduced what was left of the pub to rubble. However, Staffordshire South Council later claimed they had only agreed to have some elements removed, not the entire building.

Locals look over the rubble and detritus of the pub (SWNS)

Roger Lees, leader of South Staffordshire council, said: "The agreed course of action included the removal of three elements of the first-floor front elevation only. This was only to avoid the weak parts of the structure from falling.

"At no point did the council agree to the demolition of the whole structure nor was this deemed necessary. This council finds the manner in which the situation was managed following the fire completely unacceptable and contrary to instructions provided by our officers."

The pub before it burned down (PA)

Police are now investigating the fire as arson, Staffordshire Police said: "Our investigation into a fire at the Crooked House on Himley Road last Saturday (5 August) continues as we try to understand the circumstances, which we are now treating as arson.

“This fire has shocked and upset so many given the, albeit not listed, cultural importance and heritage of the building. This is not lost on us and a robust investigation using all available information and forensic opportunities is being carried out. We have spoken to, and continue to engage, with the owners. However, speculation is extremely unhelpful and could hinder our investigation.”

New owner of the pub Carly Taylor

Inside the Crooked House in Himley, Staffordshire (SWNS)

It was reported that the new owner of the site, who recently bought it from Marstons brewery, is Carly Taylor, 34, said to be director of ATE Farms Ltd. ATE Farms Ltd shares the same correspondence address with Himley Environmental Ltd, which has a landfill site next to the pub. It was reported that Ms Taylor’s partner, Adam Taylor, is a shareholder and former director of Himley Environmental Ltd. Despite repeated attempts both were unreachable for comment.

The Crooked House was built in 1765 as a farmhouse, and converted into a pub in the 1830s. Originally it was called The Siden House, meaning crooked in Black Country dialect. Wolverhampton and Dudley Breweries bought the site and made it structurally safe in the 1940s, but kept its unique slanted structure with its 16 degree tilt.

Kieren Williams