Man, 44, and woman, 34, arrested on suspicion of arson plot after Crooked House pub fire
28 September 2023, 14:21 | Updated: 28 September 2023, 14:48
A further two people have been arrested in connection with the Crooked house pub fire in Himley.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
A man, 44, and woman, 34, both from Leicestershire were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent or being reckless as to whether life was endangered amid pending investigations into the Crooked House pub fire.
The pair have since been released on conditional bail while the investigation continues, Staffordshire police said in a statement.
It comes after the previous arrest of three others in connection with the fire, three men aged 33, 51, and 66. They were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and remain on conditional police bail.
Read more: Man arrested after 'alcohol-fuelled' violent disorder at the Crooked House pub
Read more: Police arrest third man over suspected arson at Crooked House pub after fire guts beloved boozer
The beloved boozer dubbed 'Britain's wonkiest pub', located in Himley, near Dudley, hit headlines last month after dramatically burning to the ground, with police calling the incident suspected arson.
It was then ripped down by diggers days after the blaze, outraging locals who have called on the historic pub to be rebuilt.
The pub was famous for its slope, which inside gave the appearance that coins were rolling uphill.
Residents enraged by the pub's demolition have called for it to be rebuilt brick by brick and kept up a regular watch at the rubble site to ensure its pieces are not taken out.
Police began an arson investigation into the fire that gutted the 18th-century pub on August 9.
The Crooked House was sold by brewers Marston's to ATE Farms Limited in July, just weeks before the fire and demolition occurred.
Police added: "We are still asking those people who might have information which can help us to get in touch if they haven’t already."
Anyone with information can call 101 or submit a report anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
