Fire crews tackled a blaze at The Junction Inn, a Grade II listed pub on Birmingham Street in Oldbury, in the early hours of Friday, August 21. The fire, which broke out just before 4am, is believed to have been started deliberately, with police now reviewing CCTV footage from the area.
Eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building and extinguished the flames using hose reel jets. The fire affected both the ground and first floors of the property, which dates back to the 1800s.
Emergency response and investigation
West Midlands Fire Service dispatched four fire engines to the scene, crewed by firefighters from Oldbury, Smethwick, West Bromwich, and Tipton fire stations. A spokesperson for the service said: "Shortly before 4am on Friday 21 Aug, we responded to reports of a fire on Birmingham Street, Oldbury."
The spokesperson added: "This was a fire within a void building, which affected the ground and first floor. A total of eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose reels to extinguish the fire."
Neighbouring properties checked
After extinguishing the blaze, crews used portable fans to ventilate the building and checked neighbouring properties for any signs of fire spread. The last crew left the scene just before 8am, having remained in attendance throughout the early hours.
West Midlands Police were also called to the area as the fire is thought to have been started deliberately. The fire service spokesperson confirmed: "Police were also in attendance and will be reviewing CCTV footage, as the fire is thought to have been started deliberately."
West Midlands Police has been approached for comment. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, and the pub, a historic landmark in Oldbury, has sustained damage to its structure.
