Crooked House: Two arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to hazard life after fireplace at Britain’s ‘wonkiest’ pub

Two males have been arrested by police investigating a fireplace on the Crooked House which was often known as Britain’s ‘wonkiest’ pub.

A 66-year-old from Dudley and a 33-year-old from Milton Keynes have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to hazard life.

They stay in custody and are being questioned by officers whereas the investigation continues.

The constructing, famed for its wonky partitions and flooring attributable to mining-related subsidence, was gutted in a suspected arson attack earlier than being demolished by a digger earlier this month.

The blaze on the pub in Himley, Staffordshire, was reported to the emergency companies on 5 August.

Within 48 hours of the fireplace, the burnt-out shell of the landmark pub was knocked down with out permission.

The constructing, which opened as a pub within the 18th century, burned down simply two weeks after it was bought by pub firm Marston’s to a personal purchaser.

Campaigners attempted to block a lorry removing rubble from the scene on Monday after workers and equipment from a specialist demolition and waste administration agency moved on to the location.

A sit-down protest was held on the lane resulting in the now-demolished constructing, with some campaigners trying to witness the work happening.

On Tuesday, South Staffordshire Council stated it will intently monitor work on the website after securing an settlement that bricks and foundations can be saved there.

The native authority stated the “positive step” adopted ongoing engagement with the location’s homeowners, a contractor, the Health and Safety Executive, and police.

The complete demolition of the location had not been sanctioned by South Staffordshire Council, which stated it had solely permitted the highest ground to be demolished over security fears.