Watch: Mystery surrounds end of wonky pub… in 52 seconds
By Caroline Gall
BBC News, West Midlands
A fire which ripped through a landmark pub days before it was unexpectedly demolished is being treated as arson, police say.
The Crooked House, near Dudley in the Black Country, caught fire on Saturday night and was then bulldozed on Monday, prompting anger from local residents.
The pub, once Britain’s “wonkiest”, was sold by Marston’s last month.
Staffordshire Police said on Wednesday investigations were continuing but the blaze was being treated as suspicious.
In a statement the force said: “Our investigation into a fire at the Crooked House on Himley Road last Saturday continues as we try to understand the circumstances, which we are now treating as arson.”
South Staffordshire Council said it had not agreed to the total destruction of the site and was investigating whether the demolition of the 18th Century building was unlawful.
It said it had permitted only part of the building to be demolished for safety reasons and the matter had been referred to its legal team with a view to taking enforcement action.
The BBC has attempted to contact the new owners ATE Farms.
Image source, Chris Green
Flames ripped through the 18th Century building on Saturday night
The property was built in 1765 as a farmhouse but, due to mining in the area during the early 19th Century, one side of the building began to sink, causing its distinct, sloping appearance.
Its notoriety attracted visitors and customers from far and wide before the pub closed and was put on the market in March.
But up to 30 firefighters were called to the Himley area on Saturday evening after the building was spotted alight, however firefighters said they were hampered by mounds of soil prohibiting access to the lane the pub was on.
Image source, PA Media
The Crooked House was still standing after the fire on Saturday
Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands, has called for it to be rebuilt “brick by brick”.
Other local politicians, including MPs Sir Gavin Williamson and Jane Stevenson, were among those who also called for a full inquiry.
Dudley MP Marco Longhi said earlier on Wednesday he had written to police to clarify details about the demolition process and added that a lack of information from authorities had “raised animosity” in the local community.
People visited the site on Monday and Tuesday after news spread about the demolition
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