Range Rover Crashes into Darlaston Cafe, Igniting Early Morning Blaze
Emergency services rushed to the scene in Darlaston on Wednesday morning after a vehicle collision sparked a fire at a local cafe. Photographs from the incident show the charred remains of a Range Rover parked outside the establishment.
Details of the Incident
The fire broke out on Park Lane in the Darlaston area of Wednesbury shortly before 4am on Wednesday, March 18. A Range Rover Sport had collided with the shop front of The Soul House Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, resulting in a vehicle fire that spread to the building.
Approximately 10 firefighters from Wednesbury and Willenhall fire stations attended the scene. They deployed a hose reel and wore breathing apparatus to extinguish the flames efficiently.
Scene Assessment and Damage
Images taken later in the day revealed extensive damage:
- The black-coloured Range Rover Sport was completely burnt out, with its interior melted and one door missing.
- The cafe's shutters were burnt and smashed in, and an upstairs room showed blackening from the outside.
- A flatbed recovery lorry was parked in front of the SUV, and a police officer remained on site to manage the aftermath.
According to online sources, the cafe has been closed, with its last review posted two years ago, though it is unclear if this closure is related to the incident.
Official Statements and Investigation
A spokesperson for West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) provided a detailed account: "Shortly before 4am on Wednesday 18 March, we responded to Park Lane in the Darlaston area of Wednesbury. A fire engine from Wednesbury and a fire engine from Willenhall attended. This was a collision between a car and a café shopfront, resulting in a vehicle fire. The fire was extinguished by firefighters using a hose reel and wearing breathing apparatus. We left this incident with West Midlands Police and left the scene at 5.53am."
West Midlands Police (WMP) has taken over the investigation into the incident, though no further details have been released regarding the cause or any potential injuries.
The quick response from emergency services prevented the fire from causing more widespread damage, but the cafe and vehicle sustained significant harm. Authorities are continuing their inquiries to determine the full circumstances of this early morning crash.
