Empty landmark Birmingham pub damaged in fire in suspected …
A landmark Birmingham pub which has stood derelict for years has been damaged in a suspected arson attack. Roads were closed as 40 firefighters tackled the blaze at The Vine Pub in Aston[1] earlier today (June 10).
The fire took hold of the building in Lichfield Road at the junction with Sandy Lane, shortly before 7am. At its peak some 10 fire units, from Aston, Ward End, Erdington, Ladywood, Hay Mills, Perry Barr, Highgate, Handsworth and Sheldon were called into action. Units from Bournbrook and Kings Norton were the latest to attend.
More than 20 firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the fire which started on the ground floor of the three-storey property. It ripped through the ground floor with 100 per cent of it affected by fire. The blaze also affected 20 per cent of the second floor, but did not breach the roof.
Firefighters were quick to the scene, with fire control receiving the 999 call at 6.44am and the first unit there in under five minutes. They checked the building and confirmed there was no evidence of any rough sleepers in the building which has been derelict for years.
They also checked to see if anyone was inside at the time of the fire and did not find anyone. National Express[3] bus service numbers 65 and 67 had to be diverted for several hours but have been on their normal route since 10am. Local businesses like neighbouring Jewson were able to trade and the main Lichfield Road was opened quickly.
The Vine pub in Lichfield Road, Aston, which has been derelict for some years, has seen 100 per cent of the ground floor of the building affected by fire
Station commander Gemma McSweeney from West Midlands Fire Service[4] told BirminghamLive: “We were called to reports of a fire at the derelict Vine pub in Lichfield Road in Aston. Our first unit was mobilised at 6.45am and got here in under five minutes.
“At its height we had 10 fire appliances here. We entered the building on the Park Street side. One hundred per cent of the ground floor is affected by fire and 20 per cent of the second floor. We searched the whole building and there’s no evidence of rough sleeping or of people inside.
“Our firefighting actions prevented any further fire spread. We managed to contain it in the building and it didn’t breach the roof. Early indications suggest that it’s a deliberate fire.”
Sandy Lane in Aston remains partially closed as firefighters continue to damp down after a big blaze at the former Vine pub in Lichfield Road
Station commander McSweeney continued: “Our quick firefighting actions brought this incident under control, with the safety of our firefighters paramount. We worked hard to ensure there was no impact on the local businesses.
“We genuinely wanted to get this trunk road [A5127 Lichfield Road] open as quickly as we could so we didn’t impact going into Birmingham on a Saturday.
“We had in excess of 20 firefighters in BA (breathing apparatus). We have reduced this to three fire engines now. We are likely to be remaining on the scene for a couple of hours [until around 1pm]. After that we will come back to check for hotspots.”
The police were also in attendance and West Midlands Police[5] has been approached for a statement.
Stay up to date with the very latest from Birmingham with our Birmingham News[6] Email Updates.[7]
References
- ^ Aston (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Lost pubs of Birmingham (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ National Express (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Fire Service (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ West Midlands Police (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Birmingham News (data.reachplc.com)
- ^ Email Updates. (www.birminghammail.co.uk)