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

Two men have been arrested by police investigating a fire at the Crooked House which was known as Britain’s ‘wonkiest’ pub.

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

They remain in custody and are being questioned by officers while the investigation continues.

The building, famed for its wonky walls and floors due to mining-related subsidence, was gutted in a suspected arson attack before being demolished by a digger earlier this month.

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

Within 48 hours of the fire, the burnt-out shell of the landmark pub was knocked down without permission.

The building, which opened as a pub in the 18th century, burned down just two weeks after it was sold by pub company Marston’s to a private buyer.

Campaigners attempted to block a lorry removing rubble from the scene on Monday after staff and machinery from a specialist demolition and waste management firm moved on to the site.

A sit-down protest was held on the lane leading to the now-demolished building, with some campaigners attempting to witness the work taking place.

On Tuesday, South Staffordshire Council said it would closely monitor work at the site after securing an agreement that bricks and foundations will be kept there.

The local authority said the “positive step” followed ongoing engagement with the site’s owners, a contractor, the Health and Safety Executive, and police.

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