Fire crews were not only greeted by flames - but also hundreds of used needles at the Butts Retreat pub![Image](https://i2-prod.coventrytelegraph.net/incoming/article20604159.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_E1X5im8WUAIhLhy.jpg)
Fire crews were not only greeted by flames - but also hundreds of used needles when they were called out to a blaze at a grim derelict pub in Coventry.
West Midlands Fire Service, police and the ambulance service responded to the 999 call yesterday afternoon (May 14) as it was feared people were inside The Hamptons, known as the Butts Retreat, which was on fire.
Fortunately no-one was found inside, but crews from Coventry and Foleshill stations were greeted by flames in the first floor.
They also had to negotiate needle-ridden floors both inside and outside of the pub in Spon End at 4pm.
Floorboards were also missing from inside the building, making it even more treacherous for the crews.
A spokesperson for Coventry Fire Station said: "Three fire crews attended, two from Coventry and one from Foleshill.
"The police and the ambulance also attended as the call came in as persons reported. No one was found inside the derelict building.
"The fire was in the first floor and crews were there from 4pm until 8pm. They found a lot of drugs paraphernalia and needles, inside and outside of the building.
"It is understood that it may have been used by vagrants."
Investigations are now underway into the cause of the blaze as police are treating it as 'suspicious'.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We are investigating as the fire may have been suspicious.
"We were called at 4.55pm yesterday (14 May). An investigation is underway.
"Anyone with information is asked to call us on 101 quoting log 3203 of 14 May."
The pub hit the headlines in 2010 when landlord Bob McGreevy called time after several years of struggling to make ends meet.
Then, in 2017, it re-opened as the Khamara Lounge bar and grill.
The pub is called the Butts Retreat because the butt was the name for the archery field used by the military for target practice. There used to be a butt near the pub.
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/KdvYPLV.png)