'It's been an eyesore for years' - Residents react to fire inside former Netherton pub that was in need of demolition

The Crown on Simms Lane, Netherton, was left gutted by the fire, which broke out in the early hours of Friday morning (May 30) and saw six fire crews tackle the blaze at the former pub.

Hours later, the fire had been extinguished, with one fire crew at the scene to check for and dampen down hotspots, with the inside of the pub clearly visible and burnt out and an acrid burning smell present in the air.

The Crown was closed in 2018 after two men were injured in a machete attack and was granted permission to reopen in 2019 under strict conditions, but closed again and was the scene of an arson attack in 2021.

It had laid dormant since and plans had been put in place to demolish the pub, but residents living nearby said they had been left waiting, while the building had become increasingly decrepit.

Kenneth Ward said he had been woken around 1am by the sound of the fire crews and said that while he had been left concerned by the fire, he said he hoped it might speed up the process for demolishing the pub.

He said: "I'd heard music playing at the nearby Conservative Club when I went to be at around 11.30, but I only realised what was happening when I got woken up by the fire crews, then looked outside and saw flames coming out of the roof.

"I'm shocked that the fire happened, but I was kind of applauding as that building has been there and been in that state for far too long and the council keep saying that they're going to knock it down and build a supermarket there, but they haven't done anything.