Sixty fireworks used in 'racial' pub attack

The interior of the pub was damaged during the attack

An attack on a West Midlands pub, in which more than 60 fireworks were thrown through a door, was racially-motivated, police have said.

The landlord at the Crown and Cushion in West Bromwich said the attack was intended to kill drinkers.

Michael Jelf said is was extremely fortunate that no-one was seriously injured in the attack which involved more than 60 Roman candles.

In a separate inquiry, police in Lincolnshire are treating two firework attacks on the homes of asylum seekers in Lincoln as racially-motivated.

Exploding fireworks

Half an hour after the attack at the pub, just before 2100 BST on Tuesday, the local would have been packed for a dominoes match and loss of life would have been certain, said Mr Jelf.

He said the attacker simply stepped in to the pub and threw the lighted fireworks in to the bar.

The fireworks began to explode landing on chairs, curtains and breaking glasses, said Mr Jelf.

"The door opened and this person was bent down and threw a massive pack of fireworks which began sending off explosions."

The firework used was similar in size to this one

"The place quickly filled with smoke and everybody just ran out of the back door and got out of the way," he said.

"There hasn't been that much damage. Glasses have been broken and the fireworks landed on upholstery and curtains but didn't set fire to them."

Police said the package contained 64 Roman candles that were made in to a block which broke down into individual fireworks.

There were about 20 people in the pub, on Lloyd Street, at the time of the attack.

'Intended to kill'

"This was a well-rehearsed attack, it wasn't kids doing a prank by throwing a firework," said Mr Jelf.

"It's been done with the intention to maim and probably to try to kill people."

Two people sustained minor injuries.

He could not give any reason for the attack but claims it was carried out by a group of Asian youths.

Det Ch Insp Williamson: "Possible racial incident"

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson said: "We are treating it as a possible racial incident simply because the people involved perceive it this way.

"However it is only one of a variety of explanations."

Detectives are also investigating a similar attack on the Shalimar restaurant in West Bromwich High Street on Monday when fireworks were thrown in to the premises.

Police are not linking the two attacks at present.

In Lincoln fireworks were pushed through the letter boxes of adjoining addresses occupied by asylum seekers.

No-one was hurt and neither property was damaged in the incidents on Tuesday evening.

Police said they were treating both cases as racist at this stage.