The mayor of the West Midlands has said he is “laser-focused” on rebuilding a historic pub “brick by brick” after it burned down.

Andy Street said if arsonists had targeted the 18th-century Crooked House they had “messed with the wrong pub”.

The pub in Himley, near Dudley – known as Britain’s “wonkiest” – was gutted by a fire on Saturday evening and was mistakenly totally demolished by a digger on Monday.

Staffordshire Police later said they believed the fire was caused by arson, but no arrests have been made.

In a statement, Mr Street said: “It is clear from our conversation with South Staffordshire District Council that they remain just as committed to the future of the Crooked House as we do and we want to thank them for their time and candour.

“They will not let this lie and have a plan in place, (including pursuing enforcement action as they announced earlier in the week), but they must be given space and time to conduct their work, just as is the case with Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“That is why we would really encourage people to stay clear of the site now and allow authorities to carry out their work.”

Police now treating fire at Britain’s ‘wonkiest’ pub The Crooked House as arson

Fire rips through The Crooked House in Staffordshire

Iain Hughes: Body found of firefighter attempting cross Channel charity swim

Mr Street added: “We feel sadness, anger and frustration as much as anyone over what has happened to the Crooked House, but the last thing we want is for well-intentioned community action to inadvertently damage any positive future for the site.

“We have been very clear from the moment the Crooked House was demolished without permission that we believe it should be rebuilt brick by brick and we remain laser-focused on making that happen.

“Nothing we’ve seen or heard this week has led us to change our mind.

“We are absolutely on the case and indeed our resolve has hardened after hearing from the district council, whose plans we have pledged our full support to.

“Whoever has targeted this beloved landmark in this way has messed with the wrong pub, the wrong community and the wrong authorities.

“The Crooked House will not be consigned to history on our watch.”

Read more:
Someone must be held accountable for fire – most recent landlord

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

The popular local landmark burned down just two weeks after it was sold by pub company Marston’s to a private buyer.

The total demolition of the site had not been sanctioned by South Staffordshire Council, which said on Tuesday it had only permitted the top floor to be demolished over safety fears.

The council said it had not agreed to nor deemed necessary the demolition of the entire structure and is currently exploring whether the demolition constitutes a breach of law.

After meeting with Mr Street on Thursday, councillor Roger Lees, leader of South Staffordshire Council, said: “Our officers continue to work to explore all options in relation to the building and planning breaches at the Crooked House.

“I want to assure all interested parties that this case is absolutely a key priority for our officers and we are committed to working in partnership with all relevant parties on this important matter.”

On Thursday, Staffordshire Police said it had no control over the building’s demolition, but it was engaging with its owners as part of enquiries.

Related posts:

Two drug companies fined £260m for swindling NHS over ‘life-saving medicines’ Teenager stabbed to death on playing field near Twickenham stadium ‘Immensely frustrating’: NHS COVID app outage sees users unable to access COVID passes Toll roads could be introduced to UK roads as electric car ownership surges Stomach bugs ‘dropped by half during first six months of lockdown’ Prince Charles accepting bags of cash for his charity ‘would not happen again’ British Airways stops selling new tickets for short haul flights from Heathrow ‘I know he’s still with us’: Supreme Court considers new appeal from Archie Battersbee’s parents Man set on fire on his way home from mosque suffered ‘horrific injuries’ Man set on fire in Birmingham is named – as suspect arrested over similar attack in London Farmer jailed for ‘wanton destruction’ of river Ryan Giggs’ retrial abandoned after domestic violence charges withdrawn