Arsonists target Foleshill Social Club for second time

[dutchman]

A derelict building in Foleshill went up in flames on Sunday night after it was targeted by arsonists.



The former Foleshill Social Club was set alight at around 5.50pm.

It is the second arson attack in four months on the building in Foleshill Road, which has been empty for more than a year.

Five fire crews tackled the blaze on Sunday night which ripped through the two-storey building and sent plumes of black smoke into the skies above Foleshill.

It took them almost six hours to put out the blaze.

Margaret Ratcliffe, who lives opposite the club, said: “We heard all the fire engines and then I just looked out of the window and there were huge flames above the trees.

"I could just see thick, black smoke in the air above the club.

“It took firefighters about six hours to put it out.

"It was close to midnight before they all left.”

Arsonists last struck at the club in April, causing some 50 per cent damage to the rear of the building.

The social club first opened in 1962.

It was put up for sale for £300,000 by its owners last October and is still believed to be on the market.

It is thought the vandals gained access to the site through a broken fence.

Andy Burnham, from West Midlands Fire Service, said: “It is a derelict building so it won’t catch fire by itself and has been put down as arson.

“This is vandalism and the incident has now been passed onto police who are investigating.”

Yesterday, police officers from stood watch at the building while investigations were carried out.

Any witnesses to the incident or anyone with information is asked to call 0345 113 5000.