Devastating fire at the Crooked House raises questions

Devastating Fire at The Crooked House Raises Questions

A historic pub in Himley, West Midlands, known as The Crooked House, has been heavily damaged by a devastating fire. The blaze occurred on Saturday night and emergency services were alerted to the scene at around 10pm. An investigation is now underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the fire.

Loss of Iconic Establishment Mourned by Locals

The Crooked House, also known as 'Britain's wonkiest pub', was a popular landmark in the Black Country. Built in 1765, it was renowned for its unique feature of coins and marbles appearing to roll uphill along the bar. The pub had recently been sold to a private buyer for alternative use after being listed for sale with a guide price of £675,000. News of the fire has left locals mourning the loss of this iconic establishment. A petition was quickly launched, attracting over 2,300 signatures, calling for the preservation of The Crooked House. Supporters expressed their desire for the building to be rebuilt at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, although the museum has stated that it is not able to save or relocate the building.

Questions Surrounding Listed Status of The Crooked House

There has been some confusion about whether The Crooked House was a listed building. While some reports suggested that it was listed, Historic England has confirmed that it is not. Listing a building signifies its national importance due to special architectural or historic interest and imposes strict conditions on any changes to the property. As investigations into the cause of the fire continue, questions remain unanswered. The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, has called for a thorough inquiry into the incident in the hopes of restoring and preserving this iconic Black Country landmark. Staffordshire Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward and assist with their investigation.