Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of arson following a major fire that engulfed the vacant Oxon Priory pub in Shrewsbury on Monday evening.
West Mercia Police confirmed the arrests as part of the investigation into the blaze at the former pub.
The alarm was raised at 8.52 pm after the fire was reported to have started in the pub’s roof space before rapidly spreading through the building.
Six Appliances Tackle Intense Blaze
Firefighters from Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service tackled the intense blaze, deploying a total of six fire appliances. Resources mobilised to the scene included the Aerial Ladder Platform, the Incident Command Unit, and the Welfare Unit.
Crews were dispatched from stations across the county, including Shrewsbury, Baschurch, Church Stretton, Minsterley, and Telford Central. Firefighters used Breathing Apparatus (BA), hosereel and main jets, and Thermal Imaging Cameras to bring the flames under control.
Operations, Safety, and Principal officers were in attendance, along with support from the Highways Agency, the Land Ambulance Service, and the Police.
Pub Closed in August
The Oxon Priory, which was operated by brewery giants Greene King, permanently closed its doors in August. At the time, the brewery stated it was a “difficult decision to close” the venue and thanked customers for their support.
Fire crews remained at the scene this morning, Tuesday 7 October, to damp down any remaining hotspots and ensure the area is safe.
The full extent of the damage to the property remains unclear. A formal investigation into the exact cause of the fire is now underway, and the arrests mark a significant step in determining the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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