West Midlands Fire Service have this morning confirmed that a fire which destroyed the roof of The Cock Inn yesterday (Tuesday 10th October) was arson.
Firefighters were called to the vacant and derelict The Cock Inn in Rubery Lane at just after 6pm to reports of fire in the first floor of the building.
Crews from Northfield and Kings Norton tackled the blaze and a hydraulic platform was used to access the roof.
Firefighters spent several hours at the site last night and have returned to check the property this morning to verify that the incident is concluded.
Northfield Station Commander Lee Baker tweeted yesterday that empty buildings pose a risk of anti-social behaviour and arson, which presents dangers for the public and firefighters.
It is said that the RAF were billeted at The Cock Inn during WWII and operated barrage balloons at Rubery Quarry, to protect the factories in Longbridge.
Last year, Malvern Estates PLC, alongside Unique Pub Properties PLC, were refused permission to develop the former coaching inn site as part of a 12 property housing development.
Developers resubmitted plans in January this year to address the council’s initial concerns regarding access onto the development and the fact that trees under a Tree Preservation Order would be affected.
However, developers withdrew this application before it went before a planning committee and are expected to submit an application for an alternative site use in the near future.
Cllr Ian Cruise (Longbridge, Independent) said he was “disappointed” to learn about the fire and thanked fire crews for their speedy response. He said: “I am aware Northfield Fire Station Commander Lee Baker has been working with the owner to put in place a more secure perimeter fence and secure the property. Sadly despite this, the perimeter was breached and the building set alight.”
He added: “As with the club house at North Worcestershire Golf Course, I’m saddened that another building of heritage in our local area has been left standing idle and open to arson and criminal damage. It is another example of another historic public house being damaged by arson instead of being refurbished or converted, rather than demolished.”
Cllr Cruise urged the owners of the property to secure the site in order to prevent further incidents.
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quote – “Cllr Cruise urged the owners of the property to secure the site in order to prevent further incidents.”
All very well but the boards that were put up around the perimeter of the pub and carpark a few months ago, have been slowly removed, allowing access. I also seem to recall a year or so ago concrete pillars were put up around the entrance of the carpark, but again it was breached, this time by Travellers, who pitched their caravans in the car park for about a week or so.
So I don’t see how they can really secure that area off until such time the owners refurb or demolish the pub.