A blaze erupted derelict public house, on Simms Lane, in NethertonA general view of The Crown Pub on Simms Lane, in NethertonA general view of The Crown Pub on Simms Lane, in Netherton(Image: Google)

Up to 40 firefighters from West Midlands Fire Service rushed to the scene of a blaze at an old pub in the Black Country today.

The fire had broken out in the roof space of a two-storey commercial property, believed to be a derelict public house, on Simms Lane, Netherton, just after 12.30am, today, Friday, May 30.

West Midlands Police and West Midlands Ambulance Service were also in attendance. No injuries were reported.

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In a statement, the fire service said: “Firefighters from across the West Midlands tackled a significant building fire in the early hours of Friday 30 May.

“We were called at 12.36am to Simms Lane, Netherton, where a fire had broken out in the roof space of a two-storey commercial property, believed to be a derelict public house.

“Six fire engines and an aerial ladder platform responded. Our first crew arrived in just over four-minutes.

“Crews wearing breathing apparatus worked through the night to bring the fire under control, using hose reel jets and main jets to tackle the flames from both inside and outside the building.

“Simms Lane was closed to support firefighting efforts and ensure safety. Local residents were also asked to close their doors and windows as a precaution due to smoke in the area.”

In an update, it said: “This incident has been scaled down, with a single crew remaining at the scene this morning.

“Crews are using a thermal imaging camera to identify hot spots and damping down with a single main jet.

“Simms Lane has since reopened, and residents no longer need to keep doors and windows closed.”