Smoke from arson-blighted Warwick pub spread into neighbours’ flats
The fire at the Hobson's Choice pub in Warwick in October.
ARSONISTS have again set fire to the former Hobson’s Choice pub on the corner of All Saints Road and Spinney Hill in Warwick.
It is the second fire in the past few weeks and the third this year, according to nearby resident Paul Weclawek who captured this image of firefighters attending the blaze in the early hours of last Friday morning.
Paul said: “I was woken up by my dog barking and when I looked out of my window I could see loads of smoke coming across the shops and a fireman on a cherrypicker fighting the flames.
“The pub has been closed for about a year and has been the subject of a lot of attacks - including all the copper being stripped from its roof.”
Another neighbour, Daniel Browne, aged 28, said: “It was a bit concerning when the smoke came into our flats - it could have easily spread into the building via the tree tops.”
A spokesman for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue service said: “We have attended two incidents at Hobson’s public house in the last few weeks, both of which were started deliberately.
“In order to reduce further incidents our priority has been to secure the building at both the front and back of the proeprty. Working in partnership with Warwick District Council and the Safer Neighbourhood Team this has now been achieved.
“All those involved are committed to keeping the local communities safe and, in order to achieve this, the site will continue to be monitored until a decision on the future viability of the building is made.
“If residents do see any suspicious activity in the area then we would urge them to contact the police.”
l In July a planning application by the site’s owner, Mr P Nijjer, was approved for the pub to be bulldozed to make room for nine new homes. Of these eight will be four-bedroomed plus one three-bedroomed house and a total of 17 parking spaces. No starting date for the building work has been given.
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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