Club near Smethwick murder site is hit by blaze

A social club which sits just yards from where a teenaged murder victim was found has gone up in flames following a suspected arson attack.

Three crews from West Bromwich and Smethwick were called to the Smethwick Home Guard and Old Comrades Club in Smethwick at 10.45pm.

The social club had been closed since the death of Ben Morutare, 16, of Coalpool, Walsall, on August 1. Ben was found with stab wounds to the leg on grass near to the Oldbury Road club where he had attended an 18th birthday party.

The teenager later died at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Using hose reels, firefighters put out the blaze by about midnight and began an investigation into the fire's cause. Last night, fire service group commander, Steve Vincent, said he believed the building has suffered significant smoke damage.

He said: "We are treating the fire as an arson.

"The fire impacted a large part of the building and was well developed by the time we arrived.

"After putting the fire out we are now doing an investigation to find out its cause and where it began."

Police are assisting fire crews with their inquiries, talking to residents in a nearby apartment block overlooking the social club.

Lyndsey Ward, 21, of Great Arthur Street, Smethwick, said: "I'm not surprised what has happened. The pub, now it is closed, is an easy target."

Seven people were arrested following the death of Mr Morutare. Last week, the club's owner, Bal Sangha, said she was considering selling the building.