A DERELICT pub in Gornal was set on fire again last night - the second time within a month.

Twenty three firefighters battled the blaze at The Fiddlers Arms on Straits Road last night (June 29) that was believed to have been started deliberately.

West Midlands Fire service were called at 6:05pm and crews from Oldbury, Stourbridge, Brierley Hill, Bilston and Dudley attended the fire.

 

A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service said: "A large quantity of wood and sofas were on fire to the rear of the first floor.

"The fire was contained by crews to the first floor.

"There was evidence of numerous previous incidents.

"The premises is unsecured and has potential for further incidents."

The fire service has attempted to contact the owners of the pub but has had no response so far.

The pub was targeted by arsonists earlier in the month, again starting a fire on the first floor.

Recently plans were put forward to demolish the pub and build 12 homes on the site.

But, the developer withdrew the application after Dudley council's Historic Environment team recommended it be refused saying more effort should be made to save the pub building.